Even as the Karnataka Assembly Speaker Kagodu Thimappa today took strong exception to the absence of MLAs and officers in the House, many of them were hooked to the World Cup semifinal between India and Australia in the ruling and opposition lounges of legislature.
As soon as the proceedings began for the day, Thimappa took a dig at the absentee legislators and lamented that though the government had decided to hold a 100-day meaningful and purposeful session in a year, it remains a far cry.
"The government had intentions to conduct a meaningful and purposeful 100-day session in a year, but it remains a far cry as many of the legislators and officers remain absent today," Thimappa said indirectly linking their absence to the India-Australia World Cup semifinal match.
Turning his attention to the Treasury Bench, Thimappa enquired with Congress Legislature Party Chief Whip Ashok M Pattan about the whereabouts of the ministers and sought explanation as to what should be done to conduct a meaningful House proceedings.
Pattan, however, replied that the ministers were attending the Upper House proceedings and suggested that the Chair impose fine on absent legislators and introduce biometrics to register attendance.
Even as Congress legislator Basavaraj Rayareddy was defending the ruling party and countering allegations during budget discussion; out in the treasury and opposition lounges, the legislators were glued to India-Australia semifinal match on television sets.
Oblivious to Thimappa's caustic observations on their absence inside the House, the legislators were seen engaged in cricket talk with a bit of spicy anecdotes added.
Apart from applauding, most of the time the legislators sulked at the fall of every Indian batsmen, of the likes of Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane and Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
Inside the House, during Australian innings, Reddy said the government is functioning well and also tax collection was satisfactory as against the statements to the effect that the government has totally failed in resource mobilisation.
