After much hullaballoo and discussion over protocol being followed in Jharkhand, the State Government has provided Z-category security cover to the Assembly Speaker equivalent to the Chief Justice of Jharkhand High Court.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Rajendra Singh said that after a meeting with the Chief Secretary it has been decided that the Speaker would be provided with ‘Z’ category security cover instead of ‘Y’ being given to him presently. “The security cover provided to the Speaker is post-based and not on the basis of threat perception,” pointed out a senior police official. “The security cover has been upgraded to the Speaker in order to match the status of the Chief Justice,” he added.
The Speaker also said that it was not the question of threat. “I require less number of security men what is available under Y category cover. But it was a question of the Speaker’s dignity. Is there any threat perception to the Governor or for that matter the Chief Justice to get the security cover available to themIJ They are getting high security cover by virtue of holding the post,” he maintained.
The Parliamentary Affairs Minister informed the House that the meeting was held on March 3 in which it was also reiterated that the post of the Speaker would be equivalent to Chief Justice of High Court under the protocol. “The order has been passed and it is decided that the Speaker would be given ‘Z’ category security just like the Chief Justice. Ministers along with Speaker were getting ‘Y’ category cover which has been upped at the level of Chief Justice and also for the Speaker,” said Singh.
Speaker Shashank Shekhar Bhokta has been complaining about protocol not being followed in his case whenever he goes to his constituency. He returned his security cover on several occasions protesting the said indifferent attitude of the Government regarding his security. On the occasion, several other MlAs also expressed their pain and uttered the high-handedness they have to face ‘reportedly’ while dealing with administrative officials of their respective areas. Replying to this Rajendra Singh assured to look into the matter and reaffirmed that as per the protocol the elected representatives are above the Chief Secretary.
However, on the occasion BJP’s CP Singh also indicated towards the havoc played out on roads by security guards in VIPs’ escort. “I am hereby directing the Government to take this into cognizance. Now onward no danda (baton) would be swung on roads like hooters were silenced,” said Bhokta.
Meanwhile, the issue of illegal coal mining was also raised in the House. Members were apprehensive about non-availability of coal to local villagers for fuel. Replying to this Rajendra Singh said, “licenses have been granted to retail businessmen for local sale of coal but outside the 10 km radius of any coal mine. It is to check illegal coal trade.” Though, most of MlAs, including the Speaker disagreed to the submission and said unanimously that no local businessman is acting on ground depriving local villagers the important fuel for their domestic uses.
The Speaker also directed the Government to instruct Ranchi DC to identify land for building residential premises for the members of the House and submit the report within a week. JVM’s Pradeep Yadav alleged the Government for conducting transfer posting of officials for vested interest. He also demanded the government to make assets of officials public, as made mandatory under the newly passed lokpal Bill. “I also want to know why this Government is not making efforts to strengthen lokayukta and special anti-corruption act which has provision for confiscating property of corrupt officials,” said Yadav.
Answering about transfers, Singh said that ordering transfer was the prerogative of the Government. “The Government orders transfer for its administrative purposes and it is the prerogative of the Government. There is no role of any outsider like lalu Yadav or Jairam Ramesh as being alleged by the member,” said Singh. Voting also took place on the matter which saw ‘cut motion’ of Yadav defeated. He also informed the House that all the modalities related to Balu ghats had been completed. CAG report for year 2012-13 on state of finances and revenue was also tabled in the House.