K’taka Guv refuses customary address to joint session over VB-G RAM G row
Bengaluru: Karnataka Governor Thawarchand Gehlot on Wednesday refused to deliver the customary address to the joint session of the legislature scheduled to begin on January 22.
The state government, which is all set to take on the Centre over the enactment of the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G), has been put in a tight spot following the Governor’s decision.
Reacting to the development, Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs H.K. Patil said the Governor had objected to certain aspects of the speech prepared by the state government.
“We will discuss the provisions with the Governor and also convey to him the need to retain aspects relating to the social and economic conditions prevailing in the state. Our delegation will meet him to clarify the matter,” he said.
Patil further stated that the state government’s stand on MGNREGA had been included in the Governor’s speech.
“He will definitely attend the session, and the session will take place,” he asserted.
The delegation will include Advocate General A.J. Shashi Kiran Shetty and Congress MLA and Legal Advisor to the Chief Minister, A.S. Ponnanna.
Meanwhile, sources confirmed that Governor Thawarchand Gehlot has refused to deliver the speech and has conveyed his decision to the Chief Secretary.
The development has triggered a constitutional crisis for the state government, as conventionally the Governor addresses the joint session of the Legislature at the beginning of the New Year.
Sources further stated that the Governor has raised objections to two specific aspects of the speech prepared by the state government.
He has conveyed that the special session has been convened to oppose the VB RAM G Act enacted by the Centre. He has also opined that the state government is compelling the Governor to criticise the Centre over scrapping of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), and to make statements against the Central government.
The Governor has reportedly taken strong exception to what he described as the state government using the Governor’s address to pursue political objectives against the Centre.
He has also observed that the entire joint session appears to be directed against the Central government. He has asked the Chief Secretary to prepare a speech that would not embarrass the Centre, according to sources.
The state government has earmarked two days for discussion on the VB RAM G Act and the scrapping of the MGNREGA. It has also decided to pass a resolution condemning the Central government in this regard during the session.
