Patna: The government wants legislators to be invited to the foundation laying or inauguration ceremonies of development projects, especially those implemented under the "chief minister area development scheme", across the state.

Action will be taken against officials concerned if they fail to do so.

Planning and development minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh a.k.a. Lalan Singh said this in the Legislative Council on Tuesday while replying to a call attention by JDU member Reena Devi.

She had complained about legislators not being invited to such ceremonies by officials concerned as per protocol or established tradition. This was akin to insulting public representatives, the MLC added.

Reena also demanded an assurance from the government that MLCs and MLAs are invited to such functions on time.

"The House member has not drawn attention towards the foundation laying or inauguration ceremony of any particular development project under the 'chief minister area development scheme' to which she was not invited," Lalan said while presenting the government statement. "If she provides information about any such incident, it will be reviewed and suitable action taken against the officials concerned."

Development projects are taken up under the "chief minister area development scheme" on the basis of legislators' recommendations. Administrative approval is accorded to them at the district level by planning officers, and they are implemented by executive engineers and local government engineering organisations.

Lalan said the planning and development department had issued directions to all concerned on getting projects inaugurated by legislators.

"Consent for foundation-laying has to be taken from the legislators within a week from the grant of administrative approval. If they (the legislators) are busy, work will automatically commence after a week. Only one ceremony pertaining to either foundation laying or inauguration will be held if a scheme is of up to Rs 5 lakh," Lalan said.

He accepted that there have been instances where legislators have been left out. The government was serious about ensuring that this is not repeated.

Later, talking to The Telegraph, Reena said she had not been invited to one function in Biharsharif in Nalanda despite her name being engraved on the foundation stone. "I did not mention the incident or the officials concerned because the government would have taken action and their careers would have suffered," Reena said. "Not inviting has become a general trend and this should be curbed."

"Usually officials do not invite legislators because of personal ego, casteism or utter disregard for them," Reena said.