New Delhi, May 05: A Bill to revive Tamil Nadu Legislative Council was introduced in the Rajya Sabha today amidst protests by AIADMK which said there was no need for re-constitution of the Council abolished in 1986.
The ‘Bill to provide for the creation of Legislative Council for the state of Tamil Nadu and for matters supplemental, incidental and consequential thereto,’ which has already been passed by the Tamil Nadu Assembly, was introduced by Law Minister M Veerappa Moily.
However, AIADMK leader V Maitreyan protested against the Bill’s introduction. BJP leader M Venkaiah Naidu supported Mr Maitreyan and pleaded with Deputy Chairman K Rahman Khan to allow the AIADMK leader to place his views on the Bill in the House. He said the AIADMK member has got some serious objections against the Bill regarding what was the need and urgency for introducing the legislation.
Mr Khan ultimately conceded to Mr Maitreyan’s demand. Raising objections to the Bill, the AIADMK leader said the Legislative Council was abolished in Tamil Nadu in 1986 and during the past 25 years the state has become one of the most prosperous and developed. He said that at present out of 28 states in the country, only six have Legislative Councils so there was no need for Tamil Nadu to seek revival of Legislative Council by bringing such a legislation.
Mr Maitreyan’s contention was widely protested by DMK members, including Textiles Minister Dayanidhi Maran.
However, Mr Khan said that at the introduction level the member could not raise objections based on utility of any legislation, he could only object on the basis of the House having no power to introduce such a legislation. He ruled the government has to take an comprehensive view about the legislation concerning revival of the Legislative Council which was abolished in 1986.
—-Agencies