Bengaluru: The Karnataka government has decided to convene a three-day special session of the state legislature from September 21 to discuss the severe drought situation and the Kasturirangan report on the Western Ghats, Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara said on Thursday.
The three-day session will be exclusively devoted to the two subjects, with no Question Hour, Calling Attention or other regular legislative business, Parameshwara said while briefing reporters after the Cabinet meeting.
“The Cabinet has decided to call a special session on September 21, 22 and 23,” he said.
The Deputy Chief Minister described the drought as an unprecedented event, occurring after nearly 150 years, with impacts extending beyond agriculture to the wider state economy and food security.
“This year, the state is facing a severe drought. After nearly 150 years, such a drought has occurred. Its impact is not only on the lives of farmers but also on the wider community of the state, including the economy and food security. Therefore, we want to have a detailed discussion on these issues, and that is why we are holding this special session,” he said.
Parameshwara added that the controversial Kasturirangan report would also be discussed in detail during the session. He noted that although the Karnataka government has rejected the report multiple times, debates over its recommendations persist.
“The Kasturirangan Report has once again come up for discussion. The Karnataka Government has already rejected it four or five times. Even then, discussions and arguments for and against the report continue. Therefore, once and for all, we want to inform the people about the issue and have a detailed discussion on it. We will also use this special session for the purpose of discussing the Kasturirangan Report,” he said.
Parameshwara further announced that Invest Karnataka 2027 will be held from April 20 to 23, aiming to attract investors and promote investment opportunities in the state. The summit is intended to invite investment and bolster Karnataka’s position as a destination for economic development.
The Cabinet has also approved the formation of a 10-member Group of Ministers Committee, an unprecedented initiative in Karnataka, to deliberate important matters prior to their presentation to the Cabinet.
“For the first time in Karnataka, a Group of Ministers Committee has been constituted. Before taking important decisions and before bringing them to the Cabinet, certain matters will be discussed in this committee and deliberated upon,” Parameshwara explained.
He said the committee was created in part to respond to criticism that major decisions were being made solely by the Chief Minister without adequate consultation.
“There have been comments that when the Chief Minister takes a decision alone, people say, ‘The CM is taking decisions on his own, without consulting or discussing them with anyone.’ That is why this committee has been constituted,” he added.
The committee is modelled after a similar structure at the central government level. Chief Minister D K Shivakumar will serve as chairman, with Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara and ministers K H Muniyappa, K J George, Priyank Kharge, Krishna Byre Gowda, Yathindra Siddaramaiah, UT Khader, Lakshman Savadi, Satish Jarkiholi, and MB Patil as members. It will consider significant issues and proposed decisions prior to Cabinet approval.
Additionally, the Cabinet decided to appoint eight official government spokespersons authorised to speak on behalf of the state government.
Parameshwara stated that the spokespersons will receive daily briefings on government affairs and respond to media inquiries using official information supplied by the relevant departments.
The eight designated spokespersons are G Parameshwara, Krishna Byre Gowda, Priyank Kharge, Santosh Lad, UT Khader, Eshwar Khandre, H C Balakrishna, and Lakshman Savadi.
“Only these people will have the authority to speak on behalf of the government. If any other minister gives a statement, it will be considered their personal opinion,” Parameshwara said.
He emphasised that briefings will be provided department-wise, enabling spokespersons to address media questions based on official information.
“The briefings will be department-wise, with information provided by the respective government departments,” he added.
This measure aims to establish a more coordinated communication system for the Karnataka government, ensuring that government decisions are communicated to the media through designated representatives.
