Need to revisit the practice of Governor's address to legislature, its relevance: BJP leader
Bengaluru (PTI): Senior BJP MLA Suresh Kumar on Friday said that there is a need to revisit the practice of Governor's annual address to the state legislature, and its relevance today.
Terming the practice as "colonial hangover", he said, Karnataka should take a lead in ensuring a national debate on whether the practice should continue.
He said this while participating in debate on the motion of thanks to the Governor's address in the Legislative Assembly.
In a high drama at joint session of the state legislature on January 22, Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot had refused to read the government-prepared address and concluded his customary speech in just three lines, evoking a sharp reaction from the Congress government.
The Governor had refused to deliver the customary address to the Karnataka legislature, taking exception to certain critical references to the Centre and its decision to "repeal" the UPA-era MGNREGA.
"The Governor addressing the joint session has become an annual exercise. The importance, purpose and sanctity of the Governor's address has vanished today. There have been 18 Governors in Karnataka so far since Jayachamarajendra Wodiyar, among them some people like Dharam Vira are still remembered, while few others are remembered for unwanted reasons, I don't want to detail it," Kumar said.
The country adapted England's Westminster system, where the King or Queen addresses their Parliament, he said.
"But the architects of our constitution did not expect such a situation would arise where there will be conflict over the Governor's address, like they did not know about cyber crimes while framing Indian Penal Code (IPC)," he added.
Stating that he was sharing his personal opinion and it was not his party line, the BJP leader said, "there is a need to revisit the practice of Governor's address. Should we continue with the Governor's address? Is it relevant today?"
"We bring the Governor (to the Assembly), make him read the speech stating --My government. They (the government) present the address, we (opposition) condemn it. Ultimately disrespect is caused to the Governor's office," he added.
Referring to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin's statement that he would pursue a constitutional amendment to end the practice of Governor's address, Kumar said, Governor's office has its own respect.
Rama Jois, who had served as judge of the Karnataka High Court, Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court, Governor of Bihar and Jharkhand, had an opinion that the practice of Governor's address should end, Suresh Kumar said.
He said, "I feel that Karnataka should take a lead in ensuring a national debate on whether the practice of Governor's address continue? What would be its purpose if continued? What should the Governor be made to say in the address?"
Noting that the Governor's address should in fact speak about last one year's achievements of the government and outline its policy for the year ahead, the MLA said, but these days the Governor's address has "political overtones".
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Health Department launches leprosy awareness campaign in Dakshina Kannada, district reports 47 cases
Mangaluru: The Health Department launched on Friday the Sparsh Leprosy Awareness Campaign, to promote early detection and treatment to the disease and also to educate people in the district about leprosy.
The campaign, which is a nationwide initiative, will continue till February 13.
According to a report by Deccan Herald, District Health Officer Dr. HR Thimmaiah has said that 47 cases of leprosy were reported in Dakshina Kannada till December in 2025-26.
He has stressed on the need for early detection and treatment of the disease as it would prevent complications prior to detection. He also stressed on creating awareness, increasing community participation in cases of early detection. “People should not neglect white or brown patches without sensation on their skin,” the DHO advised.
Dr. Thimmaiah added that people diagnosed positive would be treated with free Leprosy Multidrug Therapy (MDT). “The government also provides Disability Prevention and Medical Rehabilitation (DPMR), splints, self-care kits, multicellular rubber footwear, and reconstructive surgery to patients. People can log on to sanjeevani.opd or esanjeevani.in for free teleconsultation if they come across any symptoms of the disease,” he added.
Referring to social stigma attached to leprosy, the DHO called it a challenge and said that the Department had planned awareness programmes in rural areas in collaboration with gram panchayats to ensure that there is no discrimination of patients. “ASHA workers and staff from other departments will be trained to create awareness among the people to overcome social stigma. A door-to-door campaign will be conducted. In addition, officials will visit educational institutions to create awareness among students,” he said.
Speaking about the leprosy cases in Dakshina Kannada, Dr. Thimmaiah said that the 47 cases were reported between April and December, with 42 being diagnosed as multibacillary (MB) leprosy and five as paucibacillary leprosy. One child too has been detected with leprosy during the year, he added.
He said that the district reported 29 cases in 2020-21, 39 in 2021-22, 75 in 2022-23, 62 in 2023-24, and 43 in 2024-25. The number of cases was higher in 2022-23 as patients were not able to visit hospitals during the Covid-19 pandemic in the previous years, the DHO informed.
