Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Benglauru, Oct 11: State assembly speaker, K B Koliwad, revealed that the government is actively thinking of a plan to provide free food to the legislators during the sessions of the legislature in order to encourage them towards better participation in the proceedings of the legislature. He gave this information, addressing a press conference at Karnataka Bhavan, New Delhi, on Tuesday October 10.

"Many legislators remain absent for most part of the proceedings. We plan to provide them free lunch to stop the phenomenon of excessive absenteeism. We have noticed that the legislators who leave for hotels or Legislators Home for lunch in the afternoon do not return to take part in proceedings thereafter. Therefore, we are thinking on the practicability of providing nutritious food to them free of cost," he explained.

Koliwad also stated that a club modelled after 'Constitution Club' will be set up to discourage legislators from visiting hotels, pubs and other places for dinner and partying. This building will come up in 2.2 acres of vacant land located near the chief minister's residence, 'Anugraha', and the chief minister will initiate construction works during December, he added.

Koliwad said that it is deemed below their stature for legislators to visit places of their choice for dinner at night. "The said club is being set up considering this issue, and also to protect privacy of the legislators. It will have gym, swimming pool, badminton court, hotel, and auditorium," he explained.

He stated that a two-day joint session of the legislature will be held from October 25 on account of diamond jubilee celebrations of Vidhan Soudha. "President of India, Ram Nath Kovind, will take part in the programme. Kannada and culture department will arrange for exhibition of documentary films depicting culture and traditions of Karnataka," he added.