Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, March 6: Speaker U T Khader responded to the objections raised about the provision of recliner facilities for members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, asserting on Thursday that there is nothing wrong with ensuring comfort for the legislators.

To improve MLA attendance during the ongoing Budget session, Speaker Khader proposed providing recliner facilities for the lawmakers. As part of this initiative, 15 recliners were rented for the period from March 3 to 21 and placed in the lobby of Vidhana Soudha, the Karnataka Legislative Assembly building.

Speaking to the media at Vidhana Soudha, Khader said, "I always say, don't treat MLAs as your enemies; treat them as your friends and elders. Many senior members are part of the Assembly. After having food, if there is a one- to one-and-a-half-hour break, they need some rest. Instead of going to the Legislators' House and returning late, it is better to provide them with this facility."

Khader further elaborated, "Sometimes, MLAs feel exhausted during sessions. It is our duty to address this, and as an MLA myself, I understand the challenges of sitting in the House from morning till evening. It is better to acknowledge these difficulties and provide the necessary facilities."

On the cost of the recliners, Khader remarked, "If you were to purchase these recliners, the total cost would not exceed Rs 4 lac. Even the opposition leader has requested recliner facilities for their members as well. So, 10 recliners will be installed on one side and five on the other. What's wrong with spending Rs 4 lac for the comfort of 224 MLAs during the session?"

He added, "If you politicise everything, it becomes difficult to function effectively."

The move to provide recliners was based on feedback from senior MLAs and an observation that many legislators did not return to the session after stepping out for lunch. Khader explained that the recliners would provide an opportunity for MLAs to rest during the break and return refreshed to participate for the remaining portion of the session.

To keep the initiative cost-effective, the recliners have been rented for the session instead of purchased, as it was deemed wasteful to invest in furniture that would not be in regular use. The rented recliners will be removed once the session ends.

Khader had first introduced a single recliner chair in July 2024 during a legislative session. After receiving positive feedback from the MLAs, it was decided to install more recliners.

In addition, Khader has introduced provisions for breakfast, lunch, tea, coffee, and snacks, in consideration of the issues faced by MLAs during the session.

Khader also criticised those MLAs who were repeatedly late and failed to attend the session, noting that an Artificial Intelligence system was being used to track attendance.