Mangaluru : All ministers and MLAs should compulsorily attend the legislature sessions scheduled to be held between September 13 and 24, said speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri.

He was speaking at a review meeting on development works taken up under the MLAs local area development (LAD) funds, at the Circuit House here on Friday.

“Legislature sessions are being convened after six months. We have plans to convene the sessions successfully for 10 days. Hence, all ministers and MLAs should be present during the sessions compulsorily. Everyone should take part in the sessions, without requesting for holidays. I have communicated this message to all members officially. Officials too should be present during the sessions compulsorily,” Kageri said.

However, he said, those who have health issues, or in any other unavoidable circumstances, may request holidays. “Abstaining from legislature sessions to participate in programmes in your constituencies is not a good decision. I have witnessed several instances of lack of quorum in the house. Maintaining the quorum by attending sessions will help in adding value to democracy,” Kageri said.

“On bills to be presented during the sessions, the speaker said the same should be brought to the notice of his office in advance. Members should maintain the dignity of the floor, by not violating the discipline,” he suggested.

On expenditure of LAD funds, Kageri said, “While MLAs complain about delay in the release of Rs 2 crore as LAD funds, we have also noticed delay in the implementation of works through the sanctions due to administrative reasons. In Karnataka, nearly Rs 1,000 crore of the LAD funds remain unutilised due to such reasons.

Meanwhile, nearly Rs 20-Rs 30 crore remain unutilised in Dakshina Kannada too. Hence, I have directed all assistant commissioners to submit reports on such unutilised funds, specifying the reasons and suggestions to find solutions. Reports are expected next week,” he said, adding that appropriate decisions will be taken based on the reports.