Guwahati: A Parliamentary panel is mulling to recommend the Centre to make the state Legislative Councils permanent bodies and bring a constitutional amendment bill in this regard.
Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice Shantaram Naik on Friday said they were considering to recommend to the government that a state legislative council, when it is set up, should be made a permanent body.
"We are considering to recommend to the government that a state legislative council, when it is set up, should be made a permanent body. No successive government should be able to suggest its abolition," Naik told reporters here.
At present, a Legislative Council could be formed on recommendation of a state government, but some times the next government suggested its abolition for various reasons, he said.
"For making it permanent, the Central government has to do it through a Constitutional amendment. We will suggest it in our report so that the very purpose of a council gets fulfilled," Naik said.
Currently six states -- Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh -- have Legislative Councils.
Legislate Council for Rajasthan and Assam were proposed in future.
The panel along with its members were on a study visit to the state on The Assam Legislative Council Bill 2013 and The Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill 2013.
The committee met representatives of the state government and political parties like Congress, BJP, AGP, NCP, CPI, CPI(M), AIUDF, seven autonomous councils and some NGOs.
"The prime objective of our visit is to seek opinion of various stakeholders for creation of a Legislative Council in Assam. Except one political party, everyone suggested in favour of this," Naik said.
On expenditure to set up the council, Naik said a one time investment of Rs 69 crore was estimated to create the infrastructure, while Rs 19 crore would be needed annually as operational cost.
The Assam Legislative Council was proposed to have 42 members. Of them, 14 would be elected by the state Assembly, four members each by teachers and graduates, 14 by autonomous councils, panchayati raj and municipal corporations and the remaining six would be nominated by the Governor.
Naik said the Committee would present its report to both Houses of the Parliament in the forthcoming session beginning from February 5.
