Rare Show of Unity in UP Assembly: Ruling Party, Opposition Slam Officials for Ignoring MLAs’ Calls
Lucknow: In an unusual moment of consensus during the ongoing Budget Session of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly, members across party lines came together on Tuesday to express concern over government officials allegedly failing to respond to phone calls from elected representatives — a situation many termed “unacceptable.”
The matter was raised by Leader of Opposition Mata Prasad Pandey, a senior leader of the Samajwadi Party, who urged Speaker Satish Mahana to issue clear directions ensuring that officers respond promptly to calls made by MLAs. Pandey argued that the legislature’s authority was being undermined if bureaucrats continued to ignore elected representatives.
Referring to the balance of power among the three pillars of democracy — the judiciary, executive, and legislature — Pandey said that while each has its defined sphere, the executive appeared to be overstepping its limits.
He warned that continued disregard for legislators’ calls could weaken the democratic framework of the state.
Several other Samajwadi Party MLAs, including Kamal Akhtar, Sangram Singh Yadav, and Ragini Sonkar, echoed similar grievances.
They pointed out that the issue was not limited to the Opposition, as even members of the ruling party were facing comparable difficulties.
Akhtar remarked that the situation had become so severe that ministers and ruling party legislators had, at times, staged protests at police stations to press for action.
Responding to the debate, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Khanna rejected allegations that the executive was dominating the legislature.
However, he made it clear that the government did not condone officials failing to return calls. He stated that officers are expected to respond and, if occupied in meetings, should return calls later.
Khanna also reminded the House that similar directives had been issued in the past, with contact details of public representatives shared with officials to streamline communication.
Social Welfare Minister Asim Arun acknowledged that lapses do occur. In candid remarks, he admitted that some officers may be slow, discourteous, or even dishonest.
To address the issue, he proposed setting up dedicated complaint numbers at both the district and state levels where MLAs could report instances of unresponsive officials.
After hearing members from both sides, Speaker Satish Mahana assured the House that he would consider the matter and issue appropriate directions following consultations.
The debate, though critical in tone, reflected a rare instance of bipartisan agreement in the Assembly, underscoring a shared concern over administrative accountability and respect for elected representatives.
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