Bangalore:  If the members of the 13th Legislative Assembly were beneficiaries of computer tablets, those of the 14th Assembly will get a laptop each.

Addressing presspersons here on Tuesday, Speaker Kagodu Thimmappa said that all members have been asked to purchase laptops not exceeding Rs. 60,000 each.

Members have been given the option to buy any brand and size of laptops. But they have been told to submit proof of purchase. The bonanza is expected to cost the State Exchequer Rs. 1.35 crore. The cost of each tablet that was provided by the earlier regime was Rs. 45,000.

About the need for providing laptops to legislators, Mr. Thimmappa said that a majority of the MLAs have been using various gadgets to update their knowledge. While some members used laptops, there are others who watched television. “In the changed circumstances, it is necessary to provide laptops to members,” he said.

He said that Governor H.R. Bhardwaj would address the joint session of the State Legislature on Wednesday at noon. The session would be held for seven days from January 22 to 30.
Foreign tour

The Speaker said that a committee comprising officials of both the Legislative Assembly and Council has been constituted to formulate guidelines for foreign tours of legislators. However, tours of various legislature committees have been temporarily suspended.

He said that the Assembly secretariat has accepted 630 questions and of them, there are 45 starred and 585 unstarred questions.