Will amend Societies Act to make clubs fall in line: Karnataka minister
As the provision was being misused, the only solution was to amend the Act, Mahadevaprasad added.
Belagavi: Cooperation and Sugar Minister H.C. Mahadevaprasad on Tuesday suggested amending the Karnataka Societies Registration Act, 1960 to prevent its misuse.
Replying to Mr Pradeep Shettar of the BJP in the Legislative Council, he noted that presently playing cards as a game was permissible under law, but playing for gain was not. As the provision was being misused, the only solution was to amend the Act, he added.
When JD(S) floor leader, Basavaraja Horatti, flayed the government for its failure to check illegal activities in Hubli-Dharwad, the minister accused Mr Jagadish Shettar of the BJP, who had been elected from the twin cities for the last 30 years and Mr Horatti himself, who had been elected from them for the last four decades, for failing to do anything about them.
He however promised to instruct the police commissioner of Hubli-Dharwad and officials of the co-operation department to conduct joint raids on clubs where such illegal activity was in vogue. Replying to Mr K T Srikantegowda on the defunct Mysugar mill in Mandya, Mr Mahadevaprasad said the matter had been referred to the BIFR.
Meanwhile, Agricultre Minister, Krishna Byre Gowda appealed to landowners to fence their ponds to prevent people from drowning in them. Revealing that 53 people had drowned in farm ponds over the last two years, he said the government was exploring the possibility of funding the farmers to fence them.