Delhi Assembly Speaker opposes Baijal's move to withdraw power

Delhi Assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel has opposed Lt Governor Anil Baijal's move to withdraw power of House panels, sources said today, a move that could trigger a fresh round of confrontation between the L-G office and the AAP dispensation.
Sources in the Delhi Legislative Assembly and the Aam Aadmi Party said the Speaker has also "advised" Baijal not to withdraw powers of these panels citing constitutional power of the House.
In July, Baijal had written to the then Union Home secretary Rajiv Mehrishi, seeking to withdraw the power of the "Department-Related Standing Committees" (DRDC).
"I have written a letter to the LG, following his written communication," Goel said, but declined to elaborate on the contents of the letter.

However, sources said, "The Speaker has opposed the move."
Addressing a news conference, chairpersons of some Assembly committees today also wondered why Baijal wants to withdraw power of the House panels which are holding officers "accountable" for their public works.

AAP leader Bharadwaj said the L-G's communication to the Union Home Secretary claims that various committees functioning in Delhi are unconstitutional and they are summoning and pressurising officials of the Delhi government.
"Our question to the L-G is that are these officers being pressurised by MLAs for any personal favours?" Bharadwaj, who is also the Chairman of the Petitions Committee, said.

After clashes between the Delhi government and the bureaucracy, the AAP decided to take the Assembly route to make these officials more accountable.
He said that the Assembly committees have held officers accountable on a range of issues like desilting of drains, treatment in hospitals, development works in unauthorised colonies and water.
The panel also summoned several officers, including the chief secretary, PWD secretary, Delhi Jal Board CEO on several occasions.
"It has proven that after intervention of committees, things have been improved," Bharadwaj said.