The Hindu : Karnataka News : Don't let down your constituents, legislators told

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jul 19, 2004

Karnataka

Karnataka

Don't let down your constituents, legislators told

By Our Staff Reporter

The Chief Minister, N. Dharam Singh (centre), the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Krishna (right), and the acting Chairman of the Legislative Council, V.R. Sudershan, at the valedictory function of an orientation workshop for new legislators i n Bangalore on Sunday. — Photo: K. Bhagya Prakash

BANGALORE, JULY 18. The special orientation workshop for new legislators ended here today.

The workshop saw the new legislators gain from the experience and erudition of the likes of the former Minister, M.C. Nanaiah, MLC, the former Irrigation Minister, H.N. Nanje Gowda, the former Chairman of the Legislative Council, B.L. Shankar, the former Chief Minister, M. Veerappa Moily, the acting Chairman of the Legislative Council, V.R. Sudarshan, and the Legislative Assembly Speaker, Krishna.

Addressing the legislators at the valedictory function, the Chief Minister, N. Dharam Singh, said in his 34 years as a legislator he had seen many changes in the way the legislature performed, and yet many things remained the same. "Although I have been a legislator, Minister, and have now become the Chief Minister, I cannot claim to be a scholar in parliamentary practices. I was a hands-on person, more at home with my constituents and my work as a legislator," he said.

But being a legislator today was very different; values and expectations had changed, and for the new legislators, he had an advice: "You are here because your voters want you to be here. You owe it to them, and to yourselves, and to the dignity of the legislature, to participate actively in the policy-making process."

Mr. Krishna said the impression was gaining ground that the dignity of the legislature was being gradually eroded, but the workshop, which saw many members seek clarifications, ask questions and express opinion, demonstrated the potential of such an exercise to bring the collective mindset back on track.

All legislators must contemplate on this and remember that only their active and conscientious participation could make all the difference between bad governance and effective governance.

He said he would facilitate the compiling of the proceedings of the workshop into a book that would be given away to all the members as a guide to being a model legislator.

N.L. Narendra Babu, who represents Rajajinagar (Bangalore) in the Assembly, said many of his fears and doubts about protocol, and the procedure for raising issues in the House, had been cleared. He found the narration of historic debates on issues as diverse as the Cauvery dispute, the land reforms during Devaraj Urs's time, and the role of the Opposition in policy-making, awe inspiring.

C.T. Ravi of the BJP, who represents Chikmagalur in the Legislative Assembly, said he would like more such workshops to be held. "I was ignorant about how to make the most of the Zero Hour to raise issues of importance. Now, I will be able to work constructively to fulfil the needs of my constituency," he said.

The two-day workshop also saw the Bangalore University Vice-Chancellor M.S. Thimmappa, the Patrika Academy Chairman, Arjun Dev, and others elucidate the subtleties of legislating, policy-making, parliamentary procedures, and the role of the press in linking the legislature and the public.

Honour

Soon, legislators will be doing the honours at ceremonial and official functions on important national days like Independence Day and Republic Day at the district and taluk levels. Currently this is a privilege given to tahsildars and deputy commissioners.

The Chief Minister said an order would be issued shortly to give elected representatives the honour of hoisting the flag at ceremonial functions to mark national days.

Mr. Krishna revealed this after a suggestion was made in this regard by Mr. Nanaiah.

Mr. Krishna said that as soon as Mr. Dharam Singh heard Mr. Nanaiah speak on this during his address, he gave an assurance that elected representatives would be invited to such functions.

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