SRINAGAR, JULY 08: The Committee on Privileges of the J&K Legislative Assembly, chaired by Justice (Retd.) Hasnain Masoodi, on Wednesday examined two alleged breach of privilege cases and directed both the officers concerned to submit the supplementary written replies.
The Committee considered a notice submitted by MLA Ali Mohammad Dar against the Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Chadoora, Budgam and another notice submitted by MLA Mian Mehar Ali against then Assistant Commissioner Development, Ganderbal. Both the officers were summoned and heard separately by the Committee.
While examining the case related to then Assistant Commissioner Ganderbal, the officer submitted that the issue had arisen in connection with the preparation and submission of the list of works under the MGNREGA scheme, wherein certain works recommended by the Member could not be included. He also placed his version of the facts before the Committee.
During the deliberations, the Committee took a serious view of the allegation that the officer had not been responsive to the telephone calls of the Member. The Committee observed that Members of the Legislative Assembly are elected representatives of the people and are entitled to due courtesy and prompt responsiveness from public officials to enable them to effectively discharge their legislative responsibilities.
In response, the officer submitted that he had always endeavoured to respond to the communications of the Member and expressed regret if, on any occasion, he had inadvertently failed to do so. After detailed deliberations, the Committee decided to grant the officer further time to submit a supplementary written reply. The matter shall be considered further in the next meeting of the Committee.
The Committee thereafter examined the case related to the alleged breach of privilege notice submitted by Ali Mohammad Dar against the Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Chadoora, Budgam. The officer appeared before the Committee and submitted his statement.
After hearing the officer, the Committee expressed its displeasure over the conduct attributed to him during the incident in question. The Committee observed that despite issuance of government instructions emphasizing that due courtesy and respect should be extended to Members of the Legislative Assembly, such instances reflect adversely on the functioning of the Executive and warrant serious attention.
The Committee decided to afford the officer one final opportunity to submit a supplementary written reply. The matter shall thereafter be taken up for consideration and appropriate decision in the next meeting of the Committee, to be notified separately.
