From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore
Bangalore, Jun 12: With Karnataka Legislative Assembly turning 60 on June 18, which in common parlance is equivalent to the Shastyabhdi celebration, the D V Sadananda ministry has decided to hold a special gala function in the Assembly hall on June 18.
The first session of the State Assembly was held from June 18 to 30 in 1952.
A special high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda on Tuesday decided to hold a programme on a massive and grand manner to mark the diamond jubilee celebrations of the Lower House.
The Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha held special sittings last month to mark the 60th year anniversary of Indian parliament.
The Karnataka Legislative Council celebrated the centenary year of its formation in 2007 when former Minister B K Chandrashekar was the council chairman.
The State Legislative Council was established by the erstwhile princely rulers of Mysore, the Wadiyars, in July 1907.
Karnataka’s Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Kumar and Speaker K G Bopaiah, who attended the meeting, told reporters that former Chief Ministers, former speakers, sitting MLAs, MLCs, MPs and Union Ministers from Karnataka will be invited to the programme.
The Karnataka Governor H R Bhardwaj has agreed to preside over the function, Suresh Kumar said.
Former Chief Justice of India M N Venkatachaliah would deliver the key note address.
Speeches delivered to members of the Lower House by former presidents Dr A P J Abdul Kalam and Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan will be played on the day during the function.
Three members of the first Legislative Assembly – U M Madappa, Mulka Govinda Reddy and T G Thimme Gowda – would be felicitated on the occasion.
As many as 24 chief ministers, including the incumbent D V Sadananda Gowda, have ruled the State since March 30, 1952, when the inaugural session of the State Assembly was held.
Kumar said a souvenir would be released on the occasion and a photo exhibition deliberations of the first Assembly session would also be part of the celebration.
One of the former Speakers would be asked to narrate his experience of conducting the session, Kumar said.