Absenteeism by MLAs in assembly, and their tendency to stage dharna during passage of important legislation came in for strong criticism by chief minister Siddaramaiah on Friday.Addressing the first-timer legislators after inaugurating a two-day training for them at Vikasa Soudha, Siddaramaiah said boycotts and walk-outs by legislators was leading to key bills being passed without discussion.Laying emphasis on attendance in the house during sessions, the chief minister remarked that many legislators bunked assembly sessions to attend functions in their respective constituencies.“You have to organise functions or other activities in your constituencies after the completion of Assembly session,” he told them.The chief minister advised members of assembly and council to learn to be patient and cultivate the habit of learning rules and regulations of assembly “since we are not experts.”The tendency of many legislators rising to speak at the same time caused problems to the speaker of the assembly or chairman of the council in controlling proceedings.“The speaker has to struggle a lot to control the members during the sessions. Legislators remain standing despite speaker’s repeated appeals to them to be seated. We have to maintain discipline while attending assembly session. I have come across that even ministers remain absent during sessions. I think the council chairman has no such problems since the size of council is smaller than the assembly,’’ Siddaramaiah said.The chief minister may have laid much stress on discipline, but the delay in his arrival led to the inauguration of the training programme being late by 40 minutes. A few legislators came to the venue an hour late. A few members were seen dozing off while chief minister was giving some important tips on how to conduct themselves while attending the session and how to ask questions during the session. Muniratna, Congress MLA from Rajarajeswarinagar, told dna that the training programme was useful for the newly elected legislators.“It gave me an opportunity to know rules and regulations of assembly and responsibilities of MLAs during the session,’’ said Muniratna.However, a newly elected MLA on condition of anonymity said the lectures were boring and that he had no use for them. “It was like attending a function at the Town Hall. I want them to explain the procedure of asking questions and how to meet the speaker and how to take part in adjournment motion instead of giving a lengthy and boring lectures,’’ said the MLA.

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