First-time MLAs demand protocol committee in Delhi

NEW DELHI: First-time MLAs, it seems, are having a tough time dealing with bureaucrats in the Delhi government. At the first session of the two-day training programme for first-time MLAs, protocol violation was the dominant issue and most of them wanted to know what they should do in case an official doesn't follow their orders or misbehaves.

On Thursday, these MLAs —35 out of 45 first-time MLAs attended the session— demanded formation of a committee to look into protocol-related issues.

SAD (Badal) MLAs attacked AAP MLAs for breaking protocols. While Jitender Singh Shunty attacked AAP MLAs for wearing party caps inside the assembly, Maninder Singh Sirsa, who was the first one to raise the issue of protocol violation, asked Delhi assembly secretary P N Mishra if speaker could receive chief minister at a government function. "Today, the speaker received CM at the assembly. Isn't this protocol violation?" he asked.

While officials admitted that it was against the protocol, they said mistakes are bound to happen as more than 50 per cent of the MLAs are first timers. The MLAs demanded that orders be issued to all government departments and agencies, including municipalities and Delhi Police, regarding protocols.

Most MLAs complained about officials. "They don't give us complete information. They are taking advantage of our lack of knowledge about the system and its functioning. There should be a mechanism to address our problem," said Sirsa. Similarly, AAP MLA Rakesh Garg said that at a recent protest, police officials misbehaved with an MLA and asked what action could be taken against them.

Explaining the procedure, Lok Sabha official V K Sharma said, "Usually, all these issues are sent to the assembly as breach of privileges. But a few years back, LS had formed a protocol committee. In Delhi assembly, these matters can be taken up with the speaker."