Patna: Bihar Chief Secretary Pratyaya Amrit has warned senior government officials of disciplinary action for failing to attend meetings of legislative committees, directing departmental secretaries to ensure strict compliance with attendance requirements.
In a letter to the secretaries of all departments, Amrit said officials unable to attend a meeting in person must give seven days’ advance notice or send a substitute officer with adequate knowledge of the subject under discussion.
The directive applies to Additional Chief Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, Secretaries, Divisional Commissioners and District Magistrates (DMs), among other senior officials.
Action After Complaints From Assembly Speaker
The order follows repeated complaints from Bihar Legislative Assembly Speaker Prem Kumar about officials remaining absent from legislative committee meetings.
According to reports, concerns have also been raised over officials sending substitutes who lack sufficient knowledge of the matters being discussed, affecting the proceedings of the committees.
Managing Directors of boards and corporations have also reportedly remained absent from such meetings and have been warned over the issue.
The Chief Secretary’s directive emphasises that officials must take the meetings seriously and ensure that their departments are adequately represented.
Departments Told To Resolve Pending Issues On Time
The Department of Parliamentary Affairs has also issued directions requiring issues raised at different levels to be resolved within stipulated timeframes.
The instructions follow complaints that some departments were showing insufficient interest in addressing pending matters.
Officials have been directed to bring all relevant information and details to future committee meetings and take the initiative to resolve the issues under discussion.
The measures aim to improve coordination between the government and legislative committees, ensure accountability among officials and expedite the disposal of pending matters.
