Bhubaneswar, Feb. 19: The Assembly today witnessed protests by legislators from both the ruling party and the Opposition over "discourteous" behaviour of officials to the public representatives.
The legislators were agitated as Sundargarh superintendent of police allegedly refused to meet the local MLA, indirectly citing that he was busy otherwise. Responding to the allegation, Speaker Niranjan Pujari referred the matter to the Ethics Committee of the Assembly for probe.
Raising the issue during the Zero Hour, Opposition leader Narasingha Mishra said Sundargarh MLA Jogesh Singh had called up the local SP, Prakash R, on February 15 to seek his appointment. The SP called back, saying he was away in the field and asked him to send an SMS. Singh stated in his SMS that he wanted to meet him over local issues. "Which will be suitable time for you? Please let me know," said Mishra, reading out the transcript of the message.
The response was: "I am engaged in recruitment process of constables. It will not be possible for me to attend office for next 45 days. I will let you know when the physical efficiency tests are over."
"How dare a collector or SP refuse time to a public representative," asked the Opposition leader. "It amounts to violation of Book Circular 47 and breach of privilege of the members of the Assembly," he said, urging the Speaker to protect the members.
The Book Circular 47 says: "Officials shall, in the discharge of duties, act in a courteous manner and shall not adopt dilatory tactics in dealings with the members."
The circular further says: "At the district and sub-divisional levels, the officials should set apart a fixed time every day for interview, when they are at the headquarters and priority should be given to the Members."
BJD MLA Jiban Pradip Dash said this was not a solitary incident. "In many cases, the rights of the public representatives are undermined by the officers," he said.
BJP leader K.V. Singh Deo said this issue should not be taken lightly. "This is the matter concern of the entire House. Some kind of an exemplary direction must be given by the Chair, so that the officers would not dare any more to behave discourteously.
BJD MLA Amar Prasad Satpathy demanded that the matter be referred to the Ethics Committee.
Pujari directed the Ethics Committee to look into the issue concerning Sundargarh MLA Singh. He also instructed the government to give reply to the issues raised by the members in shape of special mentions in time.
This is an issue on which legislators from all parties have been expressing concern for the past sometime. Though ruling party MLAs have not spoken up for obvious reasons, there is an undercurrent among them against the highhandedness of bureaucrats.
