Bengaluru, Mar 18 (PTI) Legislative Council Chairperson Basavaraj Horatti on Wednesday set a deadline of March 25 for the state government to furnish all pending replies, warning that action would follow the next day if the direction is not adhered to, while state Home Minister G Parameshwara assured compliance.
Parameshwara said the government has already initiated steps to address delays in furnishing replies, including issuing notices to departmental secretaries and warning of suspension in case of continued negligence.
“That can be done, Chairman sir,” he said, agreeing to meet the Chair’s deadline.
“All answers must be provided by the 25th. If not, action must be taken on the 26th and the House should be informed,” Horatti said in the Council.
The exchange followed concerns raised by JD(S) MLC Bhoje Gowda over the large number of unanswered questions.
“So far, 688 questions have been asked here, but nearly 400 have not been answered… it means only 277 have received replies,” he said, seeking clarity on whether the pending questions would be addressed before the session concludes.
Responding, Parameshwara said the issue had been discussed earlier as well, including in the Assembly, and that the Chief Minister had convened a meeting with the Chief Secretary and opposition leaders to review the situation.
“Notices must be issued to all secretaries… If there is still negligence, instructions have been given that the secretaries concerned should be suspended,” he said, adding that some improvement was already visible and further progress was expected by next week.
Horatti, however, pressed for stricter action, asking, “You say you will issue directions, but not provide answers. Why are you not taking action against officers who are unable to provide them?” Parameshwara reiterated that action would be taken and said, “Instructions have already been given to suspend the departmental secretaries.” Horatti on Tuesday briefly adjourned the House, expressing displeasure over the absence of Ministers and ruling party members post lunch break.
The development came after Assembly Speaker U T Khader adjourned the House and walked out in protest, over the lack of written replies from government departments to questions raised by MLAs.
The “unprecedented” move by the Speaker had caused huge embarrassment to the Congress government, forcing the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to issue directives to Ministers and bureaucrats, including suspending errant officials. PTI GMS ROH
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