The Opposition Congress members staged a walkout in the Legislative Council on Thursday expressing displeasure over not being allowed to discuss the statement of Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar that the government has to wait for the verdict of the Supreme Court on a legal issue before taking up the appointment of Lokayukta.
Earlier, replying to Congress member K. Govindaraj during Question Hour, Mr. Shettar said the government would take steps to appoint the Lokayukta after the Supreme Court’s verdict on its special leave petition challenging the interpretation of the Karnataka High Court order on the modalities of appointment of Lokayukta and Upalokayukta.
Taking exception to this, the Congress members wanted to take up the issue for further discussion. However, Council Chairman D.H. Shankaramurthy pointed out that a discussion could not be allowed as per the norms related to Question Hour and suggested to them to give a notice under relevant rules seeking discussion on the issue.
Taking exception to this as well as expressing dissatisfaction over Mr. Shettar’s reply, the Congress members staged a walkout.
Iron ore
Meanwhile, asserting that he would not withdraw the orders of the government to ban the export of iron ore, Mr. Shettar said the sharp increase in steel prices were not just due to the ban on export of iron ore. The Chief Minister said various factors, including the increase in construction activity and hike in coal price, were mainly responsible for the increase in steel prices.
