The govt on Thursday tabled 11 bills in the legislative assembly, including the Karnataka State Rural Development and Panchayat Raj University (Amendment) Bill-2024. The bill seeks to strip the governor of his role as chancellor of the university, transferring this authority to the chief minister instead.
The amendment is expected to spark intense debates between the Congress and BJP, as well as generate widespread discussion in academic circles. The bill also proposes granting the CM the power to appoint the vice-chancellor, a responsibility currently vested in the governor through a search committee.
Under the existing law, the governor reconstitutes the search committee for the VC’s appointment every three years. The new bill removes this provision, empowering the CM to form a panel that will recommend three candidates.
The proposed changes assume significance in the backdrop of the ongoing conflict between governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot and the govt, following the former’s approval to prosecute CM Siddaramaiah in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (Muda) land allotment case.
Senior ministers hinted at plans to extend similar changes to other state universities, aiming to “clip the wings of the governor.”
Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (Second Amendment) Bill-2024 aims to streamline property tax collection while promoting transparency. Meanwhile, the tourism bill stresses modernising infrastructure, while the depositors’ bill targets protection for vulnerable groups. The BBMP amendment also introduces provisions for a one-time property tax settlement (OTS) and allows property owners to voluntarily revise their tax assessments.
Other key bills
*Karnataka State Universities (Amendment) Bill-2024: Proposes renaming Raichur University as Adikavi Sri Maharishi University.
*Chanakya University (Amendment) Bill-2024: Allows the govt to nominate a special expert to the Board of Governors.
*Karnataka Protection of Interest of Depositors in Financial Establishments (Amendment) Bill-2024: Seeks to safeguard farmers and small depositors from fraudulent money lenders and financial schemes.
*Karnataka Labour Welfare Fund (Amendment) Bill-2024: Proposes increasing employee, employer, and govt contributions to the Labour Welfare Fund.
*Basavana Bagewadi Development Authority Bill-2024: Establishes an independent authority for developing Basavana Bagewadi taluk in Vijayapura.
*Karnataka Tourism Ropeways Bill-2024: Grants govt authority to build ropeways at tourism sites.
*Karnataka Motor Vehicles Taxation (Second Amendment) Bill-2024: Imposes an additional registration fee of ₹500 for two-wheelers and ₹2,000 for four-wheelers to establish a welfare fund for transport corporation employees.
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