The Karnataka Legislative Assembly adopted five Bills, including the Karnataka Stamps (Amendment) Bill, amidst the din created due by a dharna by the combined Opposition members. Of them, four bills were adopted without any discussion.
On December 11, the opposition BJP and JD (S) members went to the well of the House demanding sacking of Housing Minister B.Z. Zameer Ahmed over his remarks related to the Speaker’s chair. When they refused to get back to their seats, Speaker U. T. Khader proceeded with the agenda of taking up bills for consideration.
The Karnataka Stamps (Amendment) Bill that proposes to increase the rate of stamp duty on various documents, was adopted by the House. The Bill will bring the rate of stamp duty in Karnataka on a par with other States, besides seeking to bring in financial accountability. The Bill is expected to bring an additional revenue of over ₹1,500 crore a year.
