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The Karnataka Legislative Assembly and Council on Monday, August 24, passed 10 Bills without debate as BJP and JD(S) members continued their protest demanding the resignation of Minister B Nagendra, who has been chargesheeted in the alleged embezzlement of funds in the Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation.
The passage of the Bills came on the final day of the monsoon session, which was scheduled to continue until Tuesday and Thursday but ended abruptly with both Houses being adjourned sine die.
The 10-day monsoon session was the first after D K Shivakumar became Chief Minister. However, amid the continuing protests, the legislature was adjourned sine die on Monday evening, bringing the session to an end two days ahead of schedule.
Among the Bills passed was the Karnataka Government Parks (Preservation) (Amendment) Bill, 2026, the Bengaluru Metropolitan Land Transport Authority (Amendment) Bill, Karnataka Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Bill, Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments (Amendment) Bill, Karnataka Gram Swaraj and Panchayat Raj (Second Amendment) Bill, Karnataka Industries (Facilitation) (Amendment) Bill, Karnataka Sakala Services (Amendment) Bill, Registration (Karnataka Amendment) Bill, 2026 and the Appropriation Bill.
Parks amendment bill
The parks amendment bill has drawn opposition from citizen groups, environmentalists and BJP MPs from Bengaluru. The amendment allows up to 5% of park land to be sold, leased, gifted, exchanged or mortgaged for public utility projects undertaken by government departments, statutory authorities, government companies or local bodies.
The provision is expected to facilitate infrastructure projects, including the proposed 17.1-km Bengaluru North-South Twin Tunnel Road connecting Hebbal with Central Silk Board Junction. If enacted, the amendment could potentially allow up to 5% of the land at Lalbagh Botanical Garden to be used for such projects. The Bill cites previous instances where park land was used for public infrastructure.
