Under pressure following strong objections raised in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, the Karnataka government has pulled up senior IAS officers for delays in responding to questions raised by MLAs, with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh warning bureaucrats that such delays have caused “great embarrassment” to the government.
The government has now fixed deadlines for all concerned departments to ensure replies are sent promptly and has directed departmental secretaries to immediately explain pending delays.
CM and Chief Secretary Set Deadline for Replies
According to official directions, IAS officers handling departmental responses have been told to ensure that all pending replies to legislators are cleared within a fixed time frame.
The state government has also instructed ministers concerned to separately communicate with MLAs, explaining the reasons for delay and giving a clear timeline for pending answers.
Officials said the move aims to prevent further disruption in Assembly proceedings and restore legislative confidence.
Read also: ‘They Have Time for Golf, Not Legislature’: LoP R Ashoka Hits Out at IAS Officers in Karnataka
Seven IAS Officers Issued Show-Cause Notices
Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh had earlier issued show-cause notices to seven senior IAS officers over delays in furnishing replies.
Those issued notices include:
• Rajendra Kumar Kataria (IAS:1996:KN), Additional Chief Secretary, Revenue
• Amalan Aditya Biswas (IAS:1997:KN), Principal Secretary, Public Works Department
• R Girish (IAS:2010:KN), Secretary, Horticulture
• N V Prasad (IAS:2004:KN), Executive Director, Transport Department
• Mohan Raj K P (IAS:2007:KN), Housing Secretary
• Shamla Iqbal (IAS:2002:KN), Secretary, Minority Welfare Department
• R Vinoth Priya (IAS:2010:KN), Secretary, Animal Husbandry Department
The Chief Secretary’s communication reportedly stated that delayed replies had embarrassed the government and affected Assembly functioning.
Departments with Highest Pending Questions
Sources indicate that the highest pendency between 2023 and 2026 has been recorded in departments such as:
• Revenue
• Public Works
• Minority Welfare
• Haj and Wakf
• Transport
• Housing
• Animal Husbandry and Fisheries
• Horticulture and Sericulture
These departments account for most unanswered legislative questions.
Only 90 Out of 245 Questions Answered
The issue escalated after it emerged that only 90 replies had been submitted out of 245 questions raised by MLAs.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is understood to have told officials that such delays inconvenience legislators, weaken their rights, and undermine the dignity of the House.
Speaker’s Walkout Triggered Immediate Action
The matter reached a flashpoint when Speaker UT Khader walked out of the Assembly, protesting repeated failure by departments to provide answers.
His intervention immediately triggered administrative action.
The Speaker reportedly warned that future delays would invite direct action against responsible secretaries.
Speaker Warns of Further Accountability
UT Khader made it clear that legislative questions cannot be treated casually because MLAs rely on departmental replies to raise constituency concerns and hold the executive accountable.
He also indicated that the Chief Secretary would take action if delays recur.
Administrative Accountability Under Tight Watch
The latest action signals tighter monitoring of departmental responsiveness in Karnataka, especially as the government seeks to avoid repeated Assembly embarrassment.
The issue has also revived wider debate on bureaucratic accountability in legislative functioning.
