Govt directs officials to be present during deliberations of committees

To streamline the legislative process and ensure that the Delhi Assembly has direct access to the expertise required for effective governance, the State Government has directed officials to be present during deliberations of the committees.

This directive issued mandating the presence of all administrative secretaries and officials on Tuesday, is to ensure that policy-level discussions are supported by the primary decision-makers of each department.  The order was issued by the General Administration Department.

The circular emphasises that House Committees may regularly require the attendance of senior departmental officers for specialised presentations, deliberations, and the furnishing of vital information.

To maintain the highest standards of accountability, all administrative secretaries are now officially requested to attend these committee sittings personally whenever summoned by the Assembly Secretariat. This move ensures that policy-level discussions are supported by the primary decision-makers of each department.

Recognising the complexities of administrative schedules, the government has established a protocol for unavoidable absences.

In instances where an administrative secretary is unable to attend due to unforeseen circumstances, a suitable senior officer fully conversant with the specific subject matter must be deputed. This substitution requires prior approval and is intended to prevent any delays in the submission of records or the conduct of official proceedings, maintaining the momentum of legislative oversight.

Furthermore, the Delhi Government has called for the timely submission of all documents, reports, and materials requested by the House Committees.