Bengaluru, March 16 Karnataka Assembly Speaker U T Khader adjourned the House and walked out on Monday, expressing his displeasure over the insufficient number of written replies from government departments to questions from MLAs. He stated that he would not run the House until concerned ministers and secretaries provide an explanation.
Khader's move, considered "unprecedented" by many legislators, followed Home Minister G Parameshwara's tabling of 84 written replies in response to 230 "unstarred" questions submitted by MLAs.
Following this, Parameshwara informed the House that the government had taken the matter seriously and would ensure things were set right.
He also said that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had directed the chief secretary to issue notices to department secretaries and even suspend the secretary in whose department many questions were pending replies.
On Friday, Khader had cautioned the government, stating that his "gentleness" should not be mistaken for "weakness," as he took strong exception to the government replying to only a few of the MLAs' questions.
Khader had repeatedly, though mildly, asked the government to ensure replies to the questions asked by legislators.
As soon as Parameshwara tabled the written replies on Monday, opposition BJP members, including Leader of Opposition R Ashoka, pointed out to the Chair that the situation had not improved despite repeated warnings, even as the home minister claimed there was a "bit of improvement."
"Not even 50 per cent of the questions were answered. You (Speaker) have warned them (the government) four times already; do it for the fifth time. Let it be a record. This government is ineffective... Despite warnings, they have not improved. Officials come like Gods, they go home like Gods," Ashoka demanded, urging the Speaker to take action.
Khader expressed displeasure, stating that he had issued "clear orders" from his chair four times.
"This House is not for ministers. The session is for legislators, and they are required to meet once in three months to discuss issues in their constituencies. Legislators from all parties ask questions. Out of them, only 15 questions become 'starred' (questions to be answered on the floor of the House) daily. If the remaining (unstarred) questions go unanswered, why should they (MLAs) come to this House," he asked.
Pointing out a lack of proper replies to questions asked, the Speaker said, "How can we continue like this? Despite clear orders from the Chair four times, there are no signs of improvement. How do we run this House?"
"So, until the concerned ministers and secretaries give a proper explanation, I won't run this House," he said, before adjourning the House and walking out.
Later, when the House resumed, the Speaker announced a meeting involving the Chief Minister, Leader of Opposition, senior ministers, chief secretary, and other senior officials. During this meeting, they decided that answers would be provided to the MLAs' questions and that appropriate action had been taken.
The government will give its reply on this issue later in the day, he said, as he adjourned the House for lunch.
After the House resumed post-lunch, Parameshwara, on behalf of the government, said that CM Siddaramaiah had directed the chief secretary, during a meeting in the Speaker's chamber, to issue notices to the secretaries and suspend those under whose departments the most questions were pending.
"The government has taken the issue very seriously following the Chair expressing displeasure. The CM has issued necessary directions for actions against the concerned department secretaries," he said, pointing out that during the review it was found that the Revenue Department had replied to 20 out of 91 questions.
The minister also assured that the government had taken it seriously and would ensure that such things don't repeat, by giving replies to the majority of the questions on time.
He also said the Speaker adjourning the House, upset over fewer replies by the government, was a "rare occurrence."
Ashoka welcomed the Speaker's move, calling it one aimed at protecting the dignity of the House. He also sought immediate action against the concerned officials and demanded that the ministers also be held responsible.
Expressing displeasure against officials whom he accused of not taking things seriously, he also criticised the chief secretary for not conducting reviews properly.
Stating that the government, instead of warning, should suspend the concerned officials immediately, the opposition leader said, ministers should also be held responsible. "If ministers are set right, officials will be right."
"Some IAS officers are not regular to the office for months. I will show the record. They have time to play golf and do other things, but cannot respond to questions asked in the House," he added.
Senior BJP MLA V Sunil Kumar said if the government and officials are sensitive, they should "wake up".
