Constituency issues priority for MLAs: Study

Of the 117 MLAs,only 14 asked just 17 questions related to the state policy in the month-long session. Most of these were asked by the Opposition Congress legislators. Only three MLAs from the ruling SAD-BJP MLAs asked the questions. And the rest were concerned more about issues like drains,roads,schools of their respective constituencies.

Congress MLA Isher Singh asked the maximum number of policy related questions on the floor of the House. He asked three questions regarding mid-day meal,encroachments on the link roads and falling level of groundwater in the state.

Similarly,Congress MLA Ripjeet Singh Brar asked two questions — about diversification of crops,besides falling groundwater level,and policy of the government to dispose of government property. Firebrand Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira questioned the recharging of the Bist Doab Canal.

Congress MLA Sunil Jakhar wanted to know about the total amount sanctioned by the Central government with regard to subsidy under the national food security mission and share of state government.

While Ajit Singh Moofar asked about subsidised Atta Scheme,Ajit Singh Shant asked about drawbacks in the Atta-Dal Scheme and another Congress MLA Rana KP Singh asked about distributing wheat under the Public Distribution System.

Congress MLA Amarjit Singh Samra sought information on policy adopted by the government in selecting roads the Prime Minister Gram Seva Sadak Yojna.

MLA Iqbal Singh Jhunda questioned the policy on opening of anganwari centres where as Akali MLA Balbir Singh Bath asked about norms to employ anganwari workers. Former minister and brother-in-law of deputy chief minister,Bijramjit Singh Majithia’s question regarding ayurvadic dispensaries had a positive answer. While Akali,MLA Virsa Singh Valhota sought information on policy under consideration regarding health insurance plan for government employees. The lone policy question from the BJP came from Amarjit Singh Sahi regarding powers given to tehsildars for issuance of Schedule Caste certificates.

Last year,the Mahatama Gandhi State Institute of Public Administration had held a workshop to train MLAs to draft proper policy related questions on the request of Speaker Nirmal Singh Kahlon. But the performance of the legislators in this year’s budget session proved the effort futile.

Director general of the institute,B K Srivastva,said,“We are now planning to hold more seminars on policy related issues in which MLAs will be invited so that they take more interest in these issues and have a better knowledge.”