National policy on legislative councils sought

The central government must create a national policy regarding formation or abolition of legislative councils in states, a parliamentary panel has recommended in its report.

The report of parliamentary standing committee on law and justice and personnel, tabled in parliament Monday, said formation of legislative councils should not be left at the "whims and fancy of newly elected government in the state".

"The committee felt need to evolve a national policy with regard to creation/abolition of legislative council. Second chamber cannot be temporary in nature depending on mood of the government," said committee chairman Shantaram Naik.

The panel also said there is a need for "proper representation of elected representative of panchayati raj institutions".

The report endorsed Rajasthan legislative council bill, which seeks creation of a legislative council in Rajasthan.

The panel observed that so far only six - Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh - out of 28 states have bicameral legislatures.