The Hindu : Front Page : Council rejects Appropriation Bill

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Saturday, Mar 04, 2006

Front Page

Front Page

Council rejects Appropriation Bill

Staff Reporter

Congress votes against the Bill despite Government making changes as demanded by it

BANGALORE: The Congress made use of its majority to embarrass the Government in the Legislative Council on Friday by rejecting the Karnataka Appropriation Bill, 2006 (Amended) by 34 to 10 votes.

Deputy Chief Minister B. S. Yediyurappa tabled the Bill after bringing in the amendments as desired by the Congress as soon as the House reassembled after the lunch break.

Thanking the Government for considering its suggestions to bring in amendments to the Bill, Leader of the Opposition H.K. Patil said that his party was not in complete agreement with the Bill. He demanded division over the Bill.

Chairman V.R. Sudarshan put the Bill to vote and said there were precedents for his decision.

Caught unawares

Earlier, Mr. Patil caught the Government unawares when he said the Bill should have been moved under the provisions of Article 205 (1) (b) on supplementary, additional or excess grants.

The article says "if any money has been spent on any service during a financial year in excess of the amount granted for that service and for that year, the statement showing the estimated amount or the cause of it must be presented before the Legislature."

Mr. Yediyurappa and Leader of the House D.H. Shankaramurthy explained that they had adopted the same procedure as their predecessors and noted that the Bill has been passed in the Legislative Assembly.

In any case, Mr. Yediyurappa said, "we are only seeking approval for what has already been spent. Barely 10 per cent of the expenditure can be classified as a new service not contemplated upon."

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