K'taka Assembly Speaker warns govt over fewer number of replies to questions asked by MLAs
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Legislative Assembly Speaker U T Khader on Friday admonished the government, stating that his "gentleness" should not be considered his "weakness", as he took strong exception to the fewer number of replies provided by various departments compared to the number of questions MLAs had submitted.
The Speaker's warning came as the opposition strongly objected and sought his "protection", when Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy laid written replies to only 55 out of 131 total questions in the Assembly.
Over the last couple of days, Khader, though mildly, had repeatedly asked the government to ensure replies to the questions asked by legislators.
"All MLAs want the government's reply to the questions they ask. They want proper replies, whether the questions are starred or unstarred. Once questions put by MLAs are categorised as starred or unstarred, ten days are given for the ministers to reply through officials. Despite ten days, replies are given to only 55 out of 130 questions asked. Replies are not being sent properly," Khader said.
He said, "Explanations for the delay and when a reply can be expected are also not provided by the departments. Only if the MLA follows up does he or she get answers in case of a delay. If not, no reply is sent to legislators. Despite a committee headed by the Deputy Speaker being formed, there has not been a proper solution for this issue."
Stating that this practice would escalate into a major issue if not stopped, the Speaker asked, "Why call a session if the government cannot reply properly to the questions legislators put forward? Why should members ask questions?"
He further said he understands the members' feelings and that it is the government's responsibility to ensure such things don't happen.
Further pointing out that he had been cautioning the government for the last three days about the fewer number of written replies to the unstarred questions, he said, "My gentleness should not be considered as my weakness. I have been quiet expecting the government to act."
Home Minister G Parameshwara, responding on behalf of the government, said he understands the concerns and anger expressed by opposition members and the Chair.
"I will bring this issue to the notice of the chief minister. The CM has already given instructions to ministers. I will request him to instruct all ministers in this regard once again to ensure this doesn't happen in the future," he added.
Deputy Speaker Rudrappa Lamani too assured the House and members that he will call a meeting of all departments to ensure that replies are sent to concerned MLAs before the session ends.
Earlier, Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly Ashoka, took strong exception to the government's few replies, stating, "Every day you (Speaker) warn them (govt), but it seems to have no impact on the government. Ministers are not listening, they are in a deep slumber. This is the third time you have been warning the government. This should not continue."
He further said that if a list detailing the number of questions asked to each department and how many of those questions received a reply is prepared, "we will be able to find the black sheep' -- which official is lazy or is playing golf instead of working efficiently. Get a report before this session ends and admonish those departments and officials."
"The Speaker has many powers, use them against the government," Ashoka urged the chair.
Senior BJP MLA Suresh Kumar, taking a dig at the government, told Home Minister Parameshwara to constitute a cabinet subcommittee to look into why replies are not being given to the questions put by MLAs.
He said, "In some cases, questions that were asked two years ago have not been answered yet."
Asking the Speaker to come to the protection of legislators, another BJP MLA Sunil Kumar asked the Chair to be strict on this issue.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Chhattisgarh Vedanta power plant blast: Death toll rises to 20; sixteen workers undergoing treatment
Sakti (Chhattisgarh) (PTI): The death toll in a blast at the Vedanta power plant in Chhattisgarh's Sakti district has mounted to 20 with seven more workers succumbing to injuries, while 16 others are undergoing treatment at different hospitals, officials said on Wednesday.
The deceased include six labourers from West Bengal, five from Chhattisgarh, three each from Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh, two from Bihar, and one from Madhya Pradesh.
The opposition Congress has demanded registration of an FIR against the plant management and a judicial inquiry into the incident.
The explosion occurred on Tuesday afternoon in a steel tube carrying high-pressure steam from the boiler to the turbine at the Vedanta Ltd power plant located in Singhitarai village, leaving several workers with severe burn injuries.
According to officials, four workers died on the spot, while nine others succumbed to injuries soon after the incident.
Seven more workers have died in hospitals, raising the toll to 20, Sakti Collector Amrit Vikas Topno told PTI on Wednesday.
He said that a total of 36 workers were affected in the blast, and 20 of them died.
"Of the 16 injured workers, five are undergoing treatment in hospitals in Raipur, while 11 others are in hospitals of Raigarh, the neighbouring district of Sakti," he added.
Topno added that every possible effort was being made to provide the best medical treatment to the injured.
The deceased were identified, and their family members are being contacted. Arrangements have been made to transport the mortal remains to their native villages via ambulance following the postmortem examination and to provide immediate financial assistance, he said.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the families of each deceased worker and Rs 50,000 for those injured.
Vedanta Power has also announced a Rs 35 lakh compensation for the family of each deceased worker, along with employment support.
The company will also provide Rs 15 lakh to each injured person, ensure salary continuation until recovery, and offer counselling support, a statement from the plant management said.
The chief minister has ordered an inquiry by the Commissioner of the Bilaspur division, assuring strict action against the guilty.
He directed officials to ensure free and proper medical treatment for all injured and emphasised that no negligence in their care would be tolerated.
The district administration has also ordered a separate magisterial probe, while the company has initiated its own internal investigation.
Collector Topno has appointed the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Dabhra to conduct the magisterial inquiry.
The SDM has been asked to submit a report within 30 days covering key aspects, including the cause of the accident, whether it was due to technical or human error, and details of safety inspections carried out at the plant.
Meanwhile, the opposition Congress has demanded registration of an FIR against the plant management and a judicial inquiry into the incident.
State Congress communication wing head Sushil Anand Shukla on Wednesday alleged negligence on the plant management's part and accused the government of attempting to shield those responsible.
He also demanded compensation of Rs 1 crore for the families of the deceased and Rs 50 lakh for the injured.
The construction of a 1,200 MW coal-based thermal power project (two units of 600 MW each) in Singhitarai, originally owned by Athena Chhattisgarh Power Ltd, started in 2009, but remained stalled between 2016 and 2022.
Vedanta acquired the plant in 2022, after which a 600 MW unit was completed and commissioned in August last year, while the second unit is still under construction.
The deceased have been identified as Amrit Lal Patel, Thanda Ram Lahre, Udhab Singh Yadav, Rameshwar Mahilange, and Nadeem Ansari (all from Chhattisgarh); Susanta Jana, Sheikh Saifuddin, Manas Giri, Kailash Mahto, Shibnath Murmu, and Dipankar Singh (West Bengal), Tarun Kumar Ojha, Abdul Karim and Ashok Parhiya (Jharkhand), Raju Ram, Pappu Kumar and Brijesh Kumar (Uttar Pradesh), Aakib Khan and Ritesh Kumar (Bihar), and Chitranjan Dhulai of Madhya Pradesh, officials said.
