Council Chairman sets March 25 deadline for pending government replies in House

Legislative Council Chairman Basavaraj Horatti on Wednesday (March 18) directed the government to furnish all pending replies by March 25, warning that action will follow the next day if the deadline is not met.

“All answers must be provided by the 25th. If not, action should be taken on the 26th and the House informed,” he said.

Responding, Home Minister G. Parameshwara assured the House that the government will comply with the direction. He said steps had already been initiated to address delays, including issuing notices to departmental secretaries and warning of suspension in cases of continued negligence. “That can be done,” he said.

The issue was raised by JD(S) member S.L. Bhoje Gowda, who flagged the large number of unanswered questions. He said that of 688 questions raised so far, nearly 400 remained unanswered, with only 288 receiving replies, and sought clarity on whether the backlog would be cleared before the session ends.

Mr. Parameshwara said the matter had been reviewed at the highest level, with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah holding a meeting with the Chief Secretary and Opposition leaders. “Notices have been issued to all secretaries. If negligence continues, instructions have been given to suspend the officials concerned,” he said, adding that some improvement is already visible.

However, Mr. Horatti pressed for stricter enforcement, questioning why action had not yet been taken against erring officials. The Minister reiterated that directions to initiate suspension had already been issued.

The development follows recent disruptions in both Houses over delays in replies. On Tuesday (March 17), Mr. Horatti briefly adjourned the Council, expressing displeasure over the absence of Ministers and ruling party members after lunch.

A day earlier, Assembly Speaker U.T. Khader adjourned the Assembly and walked out, protesting the failure of departments to provide written replies to questions raised by MLAs, prompting the government to issue fresh directions to Ministers and officials.