AH! The seat of power in the state, the Legislative Assembly, let out an unheard cry for identity on Thursday.

Decked up with fancy lights for centenary celebrations, the building nameplate read “BIR Legislative Assembly” when The Telegraph reached the premises around 11.30am. The letters A and H (not in the same order though) were conveniently missing from the granite plate. None of the workers, who decorated the Assembly premises with strings of blue lights, spotted the error.

An employee of the Assembly, preferring anonymity, told The Telegraph: “The letters were damaged during the renovation of the Assembly (20 days ago). So, they (people involved in the renovation) took out the two letters from the nameplate and decided to put new ones later. However, even after 20 days, no attention was paid to the error and the name remained incomplete.”

The Assembly proceedings are on at present. Despite this, the building’s incomplete nameplate did not come to the notice of either its members or employees till The Telegraph rung up the authorities.

Leader of the ruling party and state water resources minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary confirmed he had not noticed the missing letters. “I have not seen the nameplate but if at all the letters are missing then it is not a good sign. The name should not read wrong even for a day. Steps should be taken to rectify it as soon as possible.”

RJD state president Ram Chandra Purbey expressed disappointment and termed it as an insult to the institution. “It is an insult to the Assembly, which is the temple of democracy. Constitution is discussed and laws are framed in this House. We are happy that the state is celebrating its centenary but not at the cost of insulting such a prestigious institution. The names of all government buildings should be written properly. There should not be any callousness.”

While the legislators cited ignorance about the mistake, the Speaker, who is the custodian of the House, dismissed the fact outright. Uday Naraian Chaudhary said: “I do not think the letters are missing from the nameplate. You must not have not seen it properly. Check it again.” “By the way nobody can break Bihar, the state is very strong,” he added.

However, soon after The Telegraph spoke to the leaders, workers were seen reaching for the nameplate. Four men were seen fixing the missing letters. Asked about the reason for fixing the nameplate, a worker said: “We have got instructions from an official to fix it today itself. I do not know what was the hurry. We are working despite today being a state holiday.”

We can only say better late than never.