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.
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2 Indians killed, 10 injured in drone attack on Oman's industrial hub of Sohar
New Delhi (PTI): Two Indian nationals were killed and 10 others injured in a drone strike in Oman's Sohar city on Friday that marked the first Indian fatalities on land since the Iran-US conflict erupted on February 28.
Joint secretary (Gulf) in the Ministry of External Affairs Aseem Mahajan confirmed the killing of the two Indians in Oman at an inter-ministerial media briefing on the crisis in West Asia.
He also said that 150,000 Indian nationals have returned to India from West Asia after the conflict began.
"I wish to share with you an incident that happened in Sohar city today. There was an attack and in this incident two Indian nationals have died," he said.
"We express our deepest condolences to their families. Of the 11 injured (in the attack), 10 are Indians. Out of them, five have been discharged after receiving treatment, and five others are receiving treatment in local hospitals," Mahajan said.
"None of them is reported to have serious injuries. Our mission is in close touch with the concerned company and local authorities and is rendering all assistance," he said.
While Mahajan did not provide specific details of the attack, the Oman News Agency (ONA) reported that two drones crashed in Sohar, with one hitting the Al Awhi Industrial Zone and claiming the lives of the two expatriate workers.
These latest casualties brought the total number of Indian fatalities in the West Asia conflict to five. While the strike in Oman marked the first deaths on land, three Indian sailors have previously been killed in attacks on merchant vessels since the conflict erupted on February 28.
In the last few days, India has ramped up its diplomatic efforts to ensure safety and security of 10 million Indian nationals living in West Asia.
India has also been making efforts to secure safe passage for over 20 Indian-flagged merchant vessels currently stationed on either side of the Strait of Hormuz.
In his remarks, Mahajan also said that 15 Indian crew members of the US-owned oil tanker Safesea Vishnu were safely evacuated to a hotel in Basra city.
The tanker came under attack near Basra in Iraq on Wednesday. An Indian crew member was killed in the attack.
Efforts were underway to transport the mortal remains of the deceased to India , he said.
Mahajan said the Indian mission in Basra is also trying to ensure safe repatriation of the 15 Indian crew members to India.
The senior official said 150,000 Indian nationals returned from West Asia.
Around 2,900 Indians returned from Qatar in Qatar Airways flights over the past few days, and 1,000 Indians who returned from Bahrain.
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said 117 Indian nationals have crossed over to Armenia from Iran through land border crossings and several of them have returned to India already.
We told all sides to adopt the path of dioplomacy and dialogue to resolve it the conflict as soon as possible, he said at the briefing.
We are also talking to BRICS member states so that a consensus evolves on this issue, he said.
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