Belagavi, Nov. 29 -- A decision to replace the Karnataka assembly speaker's chair and related furniture at the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha has drawn criticism from activists and political leaders, after disclosures showed the project cost Rs.42.93 lakh despite the building being used for legislative work only a few days each year.

The furniture was ordered in November on the instructions of Speaker UT Khader, with the new design intended to replicate the dais at the Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru. It replaced the original setup installed when the Belagavi complex opened in 2013.

Documents obtained through the Right to Information Act by activist Bhimappa Gadad revealed the expenditure and prompted fresh scrutiny of how government resources are ...