Will discuss with Centre on allowing MLAs to hoist national flag

Belagavi: Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy Friday said he would discuss with the Centre on changing rules to facilitate legislators to hoist the national flag on national festivals at taluk level functions.

The Chief Minister was responding to a question raised by Naganagouda (JDS) during the zero hour in the legislative assembly, which is holding its winter session here.

Naganagouda questioned as to why MLAs don’t get the privilege to hoist the national flag on national festivals like Independence Day and Republic day.

“Hoisting national flag is a great honour… Prime Minister hoists the flag at Red Fort, Chief Minister hoists the flag at Manekshaw Parade Ground in Bengaluru, at district level MLAs do it, but at taluk level Tahsildars do it,” Naganagouda said.

“Why should we MLAs being public representatives be deprived of this privilege?” he asked.

To this, Kumaraswamy said, this requires change in rules by the central government.

“State government cannot do it, I will discuss with the Centre whether it can be relaxed.

I will discuss with the Union Home Minister and see if we can get permission for MLAs to do it (hoist the flag),” he added.