Bengaluru, Feb 9 (PTI): Karnataka assembly today witnessed a delayed start of its proceedings due to lack of quorum followed by absenteeism of Ministers, prompting members cutting across party lines to express "disappointment".

The House that was to meet at 10 am could sit for the proceedings only by around 11.20 am due to lack of quorum, even as the quorum bell kept ringing.

At least 25 members are required to be present in the 225-member assembly to form a quorum and for the House to commence the proceedings.

As the house proceedings began after much delay, Leader of Opposition Jagadish Shettar raised the issue of protest by mid-day meal workers and wanted a reply from the government.

He said, "we want the Education Minister to answer the House, but he is neither here nor at the protest site."

As Shettar was pointing at the empty seats on the first row of the treasury benches, Deputy Speaker Shivashankara Reddy, who was in the chair, read out the list of members who have sought permission to be absent from the House today.

Reacting to this, Shettar said "about seven Ministers are not there, then why to have the session? Is there no responsibility?"

Questioning the reason why permission was given, he sought to know whether they have gone on personal or officials work. "Even we have personal work," he said.

Also expressing displeasure over thin attendance on both the opposition and ruling sides, he noted that even after about one-and-half hours there was no quorum.

"Even 25 members cannot gather.....This is not a good development, it is disappointing," he said. Supporting Shettar's statement, the Deputy Speaker observed that members need to be serious and responsible.

Senior member and Health Minister Ramesh Kumar asked if it was right to continue with the proceedings on the technical ground just because there was quorum now.

He said, "each and every member and Ministers have a responsibility to this house and people who have voted for them."

Asserting that there was lack of seriousness these days among members in attending the House, he said: ".... members have to understand the sanctity of the House and their responsibilities."

With state assembly polls nearing, the ongoing session of the assembly that began on February 5 with the Governor's address to the joint sitting of both the Houses of Karnataka Legislature, has all along been witnessing thin attendance. Assembly polls are due early this year.

The House, after transacting its business for the day, broke for a week-long recess until February 16 for the budget session.