In a damning indictment of administrative lethargy, Karnataka Assembly Speaker U.T. Khader slammed the state government Tuesday for abysmal response rates to legislative queries. Just 58 answers out of 221 scheduled questions were tabled, prompting warnings to underperforming ministers.
The controversy peaked after Monday’s chaotic adjournment, fueled by ongoing delays in non-starred questions. Home Minister G. Parameshwara informed the house of the figures, noting high-level discussions and orders to chief secretary and ministers. CM Siddaramaiah warned of suspensions, expressing optimism for improvement.
Khader broke down the failures: DPAR responded to 6/23, Finance 6/33, Scheduled Tribes Welfare 0/9, Youth and Sports 0/10, Cooperation 0/12, Water Resources 4/33, Urban Development 8/21, Tourism 1/25. Minor Irrigation led with 8/13.
‘Preparing replies takes 2-3 days, but this demands seriousness,’ Khader emphasized, following CM’s directives. BJP’s Mahesh Tenginkai protested CMO delays, arguing post-session answers are pointless. The Speaker assured intervention.
Recalling Monday’s outrage, Khader had questioned the rationale of MLAs’ attendance if queries go unanswered. He halted proceedings until explanations emerged, underscoring that persistent negligence paralyzes the house.
With assurances flying, stakeholders watch closely. This episode highlights systemic issues in Karnataka’s governance, where legislative oversight battles bureaucratic inertia. Swift action could restore faith; otherwise, political friction may escalate.