-SATISH HANDA

Controversy over neglecting legislators belonging to ruling government as well as political parties in opposition by bureaucrats and government officers in Haryana state is going on since past sometime. Most of the legislators in Haryana Vidhan Sabha made complaints to Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khatter and Vidhan Sabha Speaker Gian Chand Gupta expressing neglect over receiving their telephone calls and ignoring instructions given them to solve public grievances received by them during ‘Janta Durbar’ organised frequently by government officers in the state, whereas according to proto-call the status of a legislator is above Chief Secretar in the state. On the direction by Chief Minister, Chief Secretary issued written directions to all government officers in the state to cooperate and look into the instructions of a legislator to avoid action towards violation of directions.

According to legislators of political parties in opposition, what to speak of legislators from political parties in opposition, it is surprising government officers in the state are not picking up the telephones or call back in case they were busy in some meeting and even listening to ministers and members of Parliament in the state who have to face people elected them. In a recent incident of complaint by Jind legislator Krishan Midha criticised the working of a government officer and its sound was heard not only at Chandigarh but also at BJP high command Delhi and the issue was also supported by Home Minister Anil Vij in the habit of listening to and solve public grievances on top priority.

While having a talk with few government officers, on the condition of anonymity said that they listen and solve all public grievances immediately in routine admitting that instruction by any political leader or a legislator for a doubtful case is not possible and they cannot afford to be trapped in a illegal activity when all records in government offices in the state are available on line or through RTI information. While talked to media persons, legislators told that they are public representatives in their constituency snd should be respected in government offices and work jointly with them for better results. Haryana Vidhan Sabha Speaker Gian Chand Gupta said, large number of complaints are being received from legislators regarding neglect by government officers avoiding to pick up their telephones as a result they are losing faith in people of their constituency advising officers to have close association with them to avoid any action, however an illegal work should not be encourages, he added.