[1]If legislators are less informed by the day, there is a reason. Of the 299 legislators of both the Upper and Lower Houses, only three use the library, conveniently located close to the Legislative Assembly hall.
Even worse, none of those who bother to use it are ruling party members. But an undeterred government has gone ahead and upgraded the library at a cost of nearly Rs 3 crore.
Shamefully, this is the first time in the history of the Karnataka legislature that the library has been so badly ignored by legislators, say sources. When in opposition, BJP members were the largest users of the library, but during the last four years of their government, they have not been seen anywhere near it, they point out.
Interestingly the three members, who regularly use the library are Mr M. C. Nanaiah, a JD(S) MLC, and Congress MLAs, Ne La Narendra Babu and Kimmane Ratnakar.
Ask Mr Nanaiah about his continued interest and he says using the library is a must for legislators to learn about the past proceedings of the House. “There were precedents set for future conduct of the House and exceptional situations, where rulings were given by Speakers, which the new members must be aware of, if they are serious about legislation making. However, the quality of legislators coming to the House is falling. Most concentrate on personal issues, rather than on overall development of the state,” he regrets.
Legislative council chairman, D.H. Shankarmurthy agrees that hardly any legislator uses the library today. “But we hope to motivate more of them to use it by giving them better facilities. Our aim is to make at least 20 or 30 legislators use the library regularly,’’ he says, revealing that although the renovated library was to be ready by June 30, it will take longer to open.
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