Thursday, September 28 2006 12:59 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Belgaum: Bowing to pressures from opposition Congress, the JDS-BJP government yesterday (Sept 28, 2006) agreed to defer the Office of Profit bill 2006 till today(Sept 28,2006).

When Minister for Home and Parliamentary Affairs, M P Prakash moved the bill for consideration and passing, which the governor T N Chaturvedi has returned to legislature for re-consideration, Opposition Congress leader N Dharam Singh, Mallikarjuna Kharge, R V Deshpande and Ramesh Kumar insisted that the government refer the bill to a joint select committee and take up for debate flood and drought havoc.

However K Srinivasa Gowda of Congress took a different stand from his party suggesting that the bill should be passed yesterday itself and not be deferred.

Gowda who is chairman of IFFCO said in the event of an early election he would be disqualified from contesting as also Minister for PWD and Power H D Revanna, who also heads few boards and corporations supported Gowda's contention.

But other congress members insisted that the house defer the bill passage.

Prakash putforth a condition that he would move the bill again for consideration tomorrow provided the opposition consented to continue the session till September 29, as was decided earlier.

At the Business Advisory Committee meeting held yesterday it has been decided to hold the sitting till tomorrow and adjourn both houses sine die after the governor's address.