Pioneer News Service
Ranchi
Ahead of the Jharkhand Assembly’s monsoon session scheduled from August 6 to 12, Speaker Rabindra Nath Mahto on Monday held a high-level meeting with senior officials to review preparations for the smooth functioning of the House.
Expressing serious concern over delays in providing replies to questions raised by legislators and copies of bills, Mahto warned the administrative machinery that failure to furnish the required documents within the stipulated time could amount to contempt of the House and disregard for public interest.
The Speaker pointed out that replies to as many as 1,390 assurances made by ministers on the floor of the House are still awaited from the concerned departments. Similarly, out of 440 notices raised by legislators during Zero Hour, 321 are yet to receive a response.
The delay is particularly concerning in key departments such as education and health, where several files and matters have remained pending for months, affecting the timely submission of replies before the Assembly.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Radhakrishna Kishore also expressed concern over the issue, saying legislators’ anger and dissatisfaction would be justified if departmental officials failed to improve their functioning and provide replies within the prescribed time. He indicated that the government would not overlook negligence on the part of officials.
The Speaker also reviewed security and law-and-order arrangements ahead of the session. Police officials were directed to remain fully prepared to deal with demonstrations and protests around the Assembly premises and ensure adequate security during the session.
Mahto appealed to both the ruling party and the Opposition to maintain the dignity of the House and cooperate in ensuring smooth proceedings. He expressed hope that, with the cooperation of all stakeholders, the monsoon session would be conducted in an orderly and peaceful manner, as was the case during the previous session.
