Hyderabad, Dec 7 (NationPress) Bharat Rashtra Samithi leader and former Minister T. Harish Rao has called on Telangana Assembly Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar to promptly address the disqualification petitions concerning 10 BRS MLAs who have shifted their allegiance to the ruling Congress party.

In correspondence directed to the Speaker, the MLA representing Siddipet expressed his 'alarming concern' regarding the 'prolonged' delay in resolving these disqualification petitions as stipulated under the 10th Schedule.

“The Telangana Legislative Assembly (Disqualification on Ground Defection) Rules, 1986—specifically Rules 3 to 7—mandate inquiry, notification, and swift decision-making. The ongoing delay in these petitions is a violation of Article 191 (2),” Harish Rao noted.

He highlighted that the Supreme Court has already issued warnings to the Speaker to render decisions on the disqualifications of defected MLAs without further procrastination, reinforcing the principle established in the case of Keisham Meghachandra Singh vs. Speaker, Manipur Legislative Assembly that such matters should be resolved within a reasonable timeframe. The BRS leader asserted that ongoing non-compliance erodes constitutional integrity and public trust.

While extending his congratulations to the Speaker on marking two years in office, the former minister for legislative affairs expressed that it is profoundly unfortunate that during this period, several fundamental rules and procedures essential for the House's functioning have been neglected, resulting in significant institutional failures and a dilution of the Assembly's constitutional responsibilities.

He pointed out several serious procedural oversights that have negatively impacted the functioning and credibility of the Telangana Legislative Assembly. These lapses represent clear violations of the Rules of Procedure and compromise the Legislature's constitutional duties.

The number of working days for the Assembly has notably decreased, contrary to Rule 12, which states that the Assembly should convene as necessary for state business. Frequent and abrupt adjournments without adequate justification contradict Rule 13 on sitting times and Rule 16 on adjournment procedures.

“The Question Hour and Zero Hour have not been conducted in compliance with Rules 38 to 52 and 53 to 62. Starred questions have been overlooked, supplementary questions have been limited, and the Zero Hour has frequently been abbreviated, undermining the intent of Rule 38 regarding allocated time for questions and Rule 50 concerning supplementary questions,” he stated.

He expressed deep concern that responses to unstarred questions have not been provided to members, despite rules mandating timely written answers. This failure to deliver written responses contravenes required provisions and diminishes the accountability framework of the House.

“A particularly serious oversight is that numerous House Committees have not been established for nearly two years, defying the mandatory guidelines of Rule 196 on committee appointments, Rule 198 on their duration, and Rule 227, which stipulates that committee functions do not lapse upon prorogation. This has critically impaired legislative oversight and scrutiny.”

Harish Rao also remarked that the ongoing vacancy of the Deputy Speaker, whose role is crucial as Chairman of the Privileges Committee, has rendered the committee inactive, leaving many privilege matters unresolved.

Furthermore, he drew the Speaker's attention to the resignation of the Chairman of the Estimates Committee, which has weakened committee oversight. The failure to reconstitute statutory committees has stalled essential legislative activities, he concluded.