Dr. V. Narasimha Charyulu

Secretary to Legislature is an important functionary and Head of the Legislature Secretariat. He is the Legislative Advisor to Presiding Officers of both the Houses viz., Legislative Council and Legislative Assembly and through them, to the respective Houses of Legislature on Parliamentary matters, Legislative Rules, Regulations, Procedures, Practices and Conventions etc. In the House, he occupies a seat below the Presiding Officer’s Chair and will be available always for immediate consultation and advises on all Parliamentary and Legislative matters. He is expected to be the repository of the accumulated wisdom of both the Houses.

By virtue of being the Secretary to Legislature, he functions as Secretary to all Legislature Committees, which are also called “Mini Legislature”. He facilitates and provides necessary support to the functioning of these Legislature Committees with regard to necessary information and documents required from the Government ie., Executive Departments. He also extends his support in preparation of annual reports and recommendations of these Legislature Committees. He either attends the Legislature Committee Meetings himself or causes his officers to attend them on his behalf. He supervises all the works of Committees and gives directions whenever needed.

The office of the Secretary to State Legislature is, in many ways unique with high responsibilities. He heads the Legislature Secretariat, which serves the representatives of the people i.e., MLCs, MLAs and also Ex-Legislators. He advises the Hon’ble Chairman, Legislative Council; Hon’ble Speaker, Legislative Assembly; Hon’ble Leader of the House Hon’ble Minister for Legislative Affairs on all matters in the conduct of Business of the House.

He renders service to the Presiding Officers whenever they attend the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Meetings both within the country and outside the country and All India Speakers’ Conferences etc.

The Secretary also assists the Chairmen of all Legislature Committees of both the Houses for smooth functioning of Committees. As Head of Legislature Secretariat, the Secretary works under the overall control of the Presiding Officers of both the Houses.

Other than assisting and coordinating the House Business, the Committee Meetings, supervising the Committees Study Tours and visits inside and outside the State, the Secretary also supervises maintenance of Legislators Residential Quarters, arranging accommodation, payment of Salaries, TA/DA, Loans, LOCs., to Hospitals, Medical Reimbursements to the Hon’ble Members of both the Houses. He also supervises the payment of Pensions and Medical Reimbursements to all the Ex-Legislators, Spouses of deceased Ex-Legislators and their dependent family members.

The Members of various Legislature Parties approach the Secretary to seek his advice as and when required. To the extent possible, the Secretary has to render such services objectively and impartially in a submissive manner.

The Secretary to Legislature acts as Assistant Returning Officer (ARO) for conducting the Election to the office of President of India and as Returning Officer (RO) for the Biennial Elections to the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) and the State Legislative Council (MLCs).

In conspectus, he discharges all the administrative and executive functions of the Legislature Secretariat on behalf of both Houses of Presiding Officers besides extending the guidance to the Members in their Parliamentary and Legislative works.