The Eastern Voice Correspondent

Patna. Bihar Legislative Assembly Speakerk Dr. Prem Kumar held a review meeting in his office chamber with officials from various Assembly committees and Secretariat branches. The meeting involved a detailed review of pending matters, operational procedures and the progress of work across various committees alongside the issuance of necessary directives to the officials.
The meeting covered the functioning of several committees and branches, including the Public Accounts Committee, Committee on Public Undertakings, Estimates Committee, Zero Hour Committee, Petitions Committee, Committee on Representations, Prison Reforms Committee, Committee on Private Members’ Resolutions and the Bihar Heritage Development Committee.
During the review, it was observed that numerous matters had been pending for years before the Public Accounts Committee and the Committee on Public Undertakings. The Speaker noted that audit paragraphs concerning 23 departments were still pending with the Public Accounts Committee. He instructed officials to ensure the speedy disposal of pending matters by establishing better coordination with the Finance Department and the Office of the Accountant General.
Dr. Prem Kumar stated that the functioning of the Assembly Secretariat should be strengthened to ensure that no audit paragraph remains pending. While reviewing matters related to Zero Hour, petitions, representations, calling-attention motions, and private members’ resolutions, he directed that reminder letters be sent regularly to departments failing to provide timely responses. He further instructed that if no reply is received even after three reminders, the matter should be referred to the Chief Secretary to ensure necessary action.
The meeting also reviewed the work of the Minority Welfare Committee, Prison Reforms Committee, Library Committee, Agro-Industry Development Committee, and the Housing Branch. Regarding the Housing Branch, the Speaker directed that for MLAs who have not yet taken charge of their allotted government accommodation, all formalities should be completed to facilitate the handover of the housing units as soon as possible.
Relevant officials from the Assembly Secretariat attended the meeting and apprised the Speaker of the progress regarding the work of the various committees. The Speaker emphasized the need for all officials to adopt a time-bound, transparent and effective style of functioning.