To mark their protest against lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal’s contention that Speaker cannot accept questions on reserved subjects (land, law & services), Delhi Assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel, Ministers and MlAs wore black bands.
On Monday, Goel had cited a letter from Baijal which stated that the Speaker cannot accept any question on reserved subjects, where reserved subjects are land, law and services, among others.
“The officers should realise that legislation on reserved subjects and seeking replies on matters of public interest are two different issues,” the Speaker had said, adding that officers were duty bound to provide replies to all questions admitted by the House.
The l-G’s letter to the law Department of the Delhi Government stated that he had consulted the legal Affairs Department of the Central government, which said the Speaker cannot allow such reserved subject questions.
On Wednesday, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MlAs and Ministers came to the House wearing black bands.
During the question-answer session, responding to the first question, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said the answer to the question had not been provided by the officials. Goel also said written answers to 17 out of 40 questions were not provided by the officials.
As the House became agitated over the issue, the Speaker referred the question to the Question and Reference Committee of the Assembly.
later, he said he would also tie a black band as a mark of protest against the l-G’s decision, and subsequently did so.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MlA Manjinder Singh Sirsa said the BJP MlAs were also of the opinion that all questions should be answered, but the Speaker should not wear a black band and added that he was breaking a tradition by doing so.