Answer questions by Monday or face action, Speaker Goel warns officers
NEW DELHI: Delhi Assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel today warned officers of strict action if they do not provide answers to three written questions asked by MLAs by Monday, as he extended the special Assembly session by a day.
Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia alleged that the bureaucrats were withholding from answering questions as part of "conspiracy" to "weaken" the democratic system. Meanwhile, AAP MLA Saurabh Bharadwaj said that he will expose the conspiracy in the Assembly.
The principal secretaries of revenue, power and revenue departments on Thursday appeared in the House during the proceedings, following the Speaker's directive after they allegedly did not provide answers to questions on Wednesday.
Goel had said that questions whose answers have not been given would be asked on Thursday. As the House proceedings begun, MLAs complained that officers have not provided proper answers to the questions.
"I am feeling pained that the answers of these questions have also not been provided today as well. I am extending the session till Monday. If officers do not provide answers to these questions on Monday, I will take strict action whatever I can do as per rules," Gool said.
The three-day session, which started on Wednesday, was scheduled to conclude on Friday. However, Goel stressed that legislation on reserved subjects and seeking replies on matters of public interest are two different issues and hence he ruled that "officers are duty bound to provide replies to all questions which are admitted (by the Assembly)".
After Goel's statement, Sisodia attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying that there is "conspiracy" to "weaken" the constitutional institutions, "be it CAG, election commission."
"It is being done because PM himself does not believe in democracy. How can education department deny answers to questions on the number of vacant posts in schools, citing it falls under services matter?
"Why cannot MLAs ask questions on people's behalf. Education is transfer subject," Sisodia said.
During the Budget Session in March this year, Goel had hit out at Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal, after the latter communicated to him that he cannot admit questions on reserved subjects including law and order, services and land.
In a protest, Goel, Sisodia, Delhi cabinet ministers and all AAP MLAs wore black bands during the House proceedings against the LG's move.
Later, Goel had written to Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan over the issue, alleging the power of legislation is being encroached upon by the LG who has "killed" democracy with his order.
