While insisting that the abolition of the Legislative Council was not an easy process and the present circumstances would not permit it, Leader of the Opposition in Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council Yanamala Ramakrishnudu said the State government could not threaten the Council and its members by invoking Article 169 of the Constitution. In respect of the Bills for decentralisation and inclusive development of all regions and repeal of CRDA, the Council chairman referred them to a select committee by using his discretionary powers for eliciting public opinion. Even if the rule book was silent about certain things, the Chairman could take decisions as per the residuary powers vested in him by the Constitution, he said. The select committee would have at least three months to know what people were thinking about the decentralisation of administration. Once the committee submits its report to the Council, the Bills would be discussed again and sent to the Assembly along with amendments, if any, which was in tune with democratic procedures, Mr. Ramakrishnudu added.

Source: The Hindu January 25, 2020 19:56 UTC