Kundapur: Restraint important to uphold sanctity of Constitution: D H Shankaramurthy

Silvester D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur

Kundapur, Aug 18: “While discharging duty as chairman of Legislative Council, imposing political and social restraint on self is necessary to uphold the tradition and sanctity of the House and the Constitution,” said D H Shankaramurthy.

He was addressing reporters during his visit to Kundapur taluk bar council.

"When presiding as the chairman of Legislative Council, various opinions come from the members. Allegations and counter-allegations, concerns, hate and appreciation are hurled to and fro. When a person presides as chairman of the Legislative Council, he should respond equally to the opinions and sentiments of all members. Though our country has progressed a lot since Independence, the development has not been to the expected level," he said.

"We have also seen sufficient development in Panchayat Raj and education systems. We have time and again shown our pride in this nation and we can achieve the progress which was envisioned by our forefathers," he said.

On this occasion MLC Captain Ganesh Karnik said, “After Shankaramurthy was sworn in as the chairman of Legislative Council, sessions have functioned smoothly  and our Legislative Council has also been recognized as a model for other governments. It is said that people’s decision-making role in democracy is getting weaker, but in Karnataka Legislative Council it has became stronger. When government tried to pass the proposal to take action against gram panchayats that do not hold the gram panchayat meetings, the proposal was opposed and hence it was decided to review it."

"The representatives' meetings should be held according to the Constitution. If the meetings function properly, then the aim of Constitution is fulfilled. Though we have achieved development in various fields in 60 years, the fruits of development have not reached all classes of society. Moreover, corruption, communal disharmony and caste discrimnation have hampered our progress," he said.

Kundapur Bar Association president B A Shetty presided. Former minister Kota Srinivas Poojary was present.

Former president J Santhosh Kumar Shetty presented the keynote address. Secretary K C Shetty thanked.

Press Meet  

"The proposal of the Election Commission that a representative, who resigns from his constituency before the end of his tenure for the purpose of contesting in another constituency’s election should bear the expenses of the by-election in his constituency, is  welcome," said D H Shankarmurthy, chairman of the Legislative Council.

Addressing a press meet, he said, "A year after the Legislative Council election I have come here. Due to the hectic schedule of my work I could not thank the voters of the constituency."

He added, "When I was in the opposition party, I had my own thoughts on the proceedings of the Council. Those days I used to try to seek the attention of then chairman of the Legislative Council. But now, serving as the chairman of Legislative Council, I have tried to increase the value of the Legislative Council by implementing some points. Importance is given to time management. Even the question hour in the Legislative Council is properly managed. Equal opportunity is given to all members to opine their views.  Opposition and the ruling parties are the two wheels of democracy, and the chairman has the responsibility to steer them properly."

He also said that support of all members in making Vande Mataram song compulsory before start of the session and national anthem at the end, has made him happy, and so also photos of national leaders like Subash Chandra Bose, Lal Bahadur Shastri, and Sir M Vishweshwarayya in the Legislative Council.

MLC Captain Ganesh Karnik, Kota Shrinivas Poojary, BJP leader B Kishor Kumar, K Mohan Das, Shenoy, KB Shetty,  Pundalika Shenoy Ganesh Gulwadi were present on this occasion.