Breach of privilege motion moved against Karnataka Tourism Minister R V Deshpande

BENGALURU: Opposition BJP today moved a breach of privilege motion against Karnataka Tourism Minister R V Deshpande in the Assembly for launching the state government's tourism policy in an event when the Legislature is in session.

Soon after the question hour, BJP's Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri moved the motion, accusing Deshpande of "ignoring" the House.

Tourism Department had yesterday organised the event at a private hotel to launch Karnataka Tourism Policy 2015-2020 and signing of MoU with corporates for adoption of tourism destinations in the state in the presence of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

"How can the government launch such an important policy outside while the House was in session? Members of this House should have been informed about it. Instead, we are getting to know about if from newspapers," Kageri said.

Accusing the government of "ignoring" the House, he said, "This amounts to a breach of privilege of members," claiming that the event was like a "party affair, instead of a government event".

On this, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister T B Jayachandra intervened, saying, "How can this amount to a breach of privilege. This is not a breach of privilege."

Reacting to this, Opposition Leader Jagadish Shettar questioned how the government can announce a policy outside the House during the session. "It is a breach of privilege."

Jayachandra said not speaking on policy matters outside the House during the session is not a matter of privilege, but convention. So there is no breach.

BJP members objected to the statements made by Jayachandra.

In his reply, Deshpande said, "The policy was approved by the cabinet and then a GO (government order) came out on March 26 and June 24, this was put up on the website."

"I have mentioned about the policy several times in the House. I have also mentioned it in the Council. So this is not new," he said.

Pointing out that the policy was already in public domain, Deshpande said the event was to publicise it and make it known to corporates.

Even after this as some objections were raised by the BJP, Speaker Kagodu Thimmappa said, "I have heard both sides, I will look into it and take a decision."