More time needed for private bills; legislative committee chairman hands over report to Speaker 

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Legislative committee has recommended that legislators be allowed more time to introduce private bills. Chairman of the committee PC Vishnunath handed over the report to the Speaker suggesting that two days should be allowed for the presentation of private bills.

The report was prepared by the committee after visiting the Legislative Assemblies of North Eastern states like Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and West Bengal and observing the business hours reserved for private members.

On Fridays, when the House meets for only half a day, the time till 12.30 pm is reserved for private bill presentations. After completing all other matters, members get only a maximum of half an hour to present private bills. Many other assemblies set aside two days a week for it. 61 private bills were introduced in the 15th Legislative Assembly on issues such as lynching, political killings and the need to regulate recruiting agencies, but they were abandoned without sufficient debate.

Private bill presentation should be moved from Friday. More time should be allowed for the newcomers to the assembly to study about legislation. It would be beneficial to allocate a special time called members hour to present in writing to the Speaker the issues of the constituencies irrespective of the ruling and opposition parties. The committee also recommends that no other procedures should be taken on this day.