Speaker Takes Strong Exception to Mass Absence
Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar on Wednesday pulled up the state government over the absence of senior officials from the legislature, revealing that 110 secretaries were drawing government salaries but not even four of them were present in the House. He asserted that the Assembly would not function according to the convenience of officials and warned that future violations would invite adjournment of the House for the entire day.
Details of the Incident
During the ongoing Monsoon Session of the Maharashtra Legislature, Speaker Narwekar made the observation while addressing the issue of absent secretaries. He pointed out that despite 110 secretaries being on the government's payroll, their presence in the Assembly was negligible. This, he said, was unacceptable and reflected a lack of accountability among senior bureaucrats.
Narwekar specifically noted that only four secretaries were present at the time of his remarks, which he described as a gross dereliction of duty. The Speaker's comments came during a discussion on legislative business, where he expressed displeasure over the absence of key officials who are expected to assist lawmakers and provide necessary inputs during proceedings.
Warnings and Implications
The Speaker warned that if such absenteeism continued, he would be forced to adjourn the House for the entire day, disrupting legislative work. He emphasized that the Assembly's functioning cannot be compromised by the convenience of officials. According to sources, Narwekar said, "The Assembly will not run as per the convenience of officials. If such violations persist, I will have no option but to adjourn the House for the whole day."
This incident highlights ongoing tensions between the legislative and executive branches in Maharashtra, with the Speaker asserting the primacy of the Assembly. The state government has yet to respond formally to the Speaker's remarks.
Broader Context
The absence of senior officials from the Assembly is not a new issue but has been flagged repeatedly by presiding officers. In this case, the sheer number of absentees—106 out of 110 secretaries—drew sharp criticism. The Speaker's strong stance underscores the need for better coordination between the government and the legislature to ensure smooth functioning of democratic processes.
