Bengaluru: Can a protem Council chairman conduct the proceedings of the House or not? This issue came to the fore in the Legislative Council on Friday which witnessed a heated debate over the powers and functions of protem chairman Basavaraj Horatti. The Opposition BJP criticized the state government for not initiating action to appoint a full-time chairman to the Council and took strong objection to the protem chairman conducting proceedings.
Soon after the House assembled on Friday, the deputy leader of Opposition, K.B. Shanappa said the House needs to be know about the functions and powers of the protem chairman and whether his power is restricted to only administering the oath to new members and conducting the election of chairman and deputy chairman. It is the duty of the government to inform the House about the jurisdiction of the protem chairman and whether he can conduct the proceedings , Mr Shanappa said.
BJP member Ayanoor Manjunath, said the protem chairman has limited powers with the issue recently coming up before the Supreme Court. The law is very clear about the functions and jurisdiction of the protem chairman. In the absence of a full time chairman, the decision taken by the protem chairman will not be valid. The non-appointment of a full time chairman shows that the government does not have any respect for the House, he remarked. Mr Manjunath also urged the protem chairman to resign.
Congress and JD(S) members opposed the remarks of Mr Manjunath, criticized him for showing ‘disrespect’ to the Chair. Intervening, Deputy Chief Minister Dr. G. Parameshwar said the governor has appointed the protem chairman after obtaining legal opinion. There is no lacuna on the part of the state government, he defended. The protem chairman has all powers like a full time chairman, he said adding that the government will appoint a full time chairman soon. Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Krishna Byregowda assured that before the end of the Budget session, the government will appoint a full time chairman. He requested the opposition members to extend their cooperation in the appointment of a full time chairman.
Article 184 of the Constitution which lists the functions of the protem Speaker, has not barred him from taking administrative decisions including conducting proceedings in the House. When both chairman and deputy chairman posts are vacant, the Governor has the power to appoint a protem Chairman to conduct the proceedings, Mr. Krishna Byregowda stated. Later speaking to reporters, protem chairman, Mr. Basvaraj Horatti said, “The governor has appointed me as protem chairman after following due procedure, there is no illegality in appointing me. My power is not restricted to administering the oath to members. I am hurt by the remarks made by BJP members today. I did not expect such remarks against the Chair.”
