Delhi Assembly Speaker warns officers of strict action if they do not provide answers to MLAs' questions

Delhi Assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel today warned government officers of strict action "as per rules" if they do not provide proper answers to the three written questions asked by ruling party legislators by Monday.

Goel has asked three senior bureaucrats to remain present during the House proceedings today after their departments allegedly did not provide answers to the written questions.

Principal secretaries of education, power and revenue departments attended the proceedings following the directive.

As the proceedings began, MLAs complained that officers have not provided proper answers to their 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," Geol said.

The three-day session, which started yesterday, was scheduled to conclude tomorrow.

Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia alleged that the witholding of the answers by the bureaucrates was being done as part of a "conspiracy" to "weaken" the democratic system and constitutional institutions like the CAG and the election commission.

"It is being done because PM himself doesn't believe in democracy. How can education department deny answers to questions on number of vacant posts in schools, citing it falls under services matter? Why cannot MLA ask question on people's behalf? Education is transfer subject," Sisodia said.

Aam Aadmi Party legislator Sourabh Bharadwaj said he will expose the "conspiracy" in the Delhi Assembly.

During the Budget Session in March, Goel had hit out at LG Anil Baijal after he communicated to him he cannot admit questions on reserved subjects including law & order, services and land.

As a mark of their protest against the LG move, Goel, Sisodia, cabinet ministers and all AAP legislators wore black bands during the House proceedings then. Later, Goel wrote 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.