Speaker asks govt to ensure Dadwal's presence in assembly

Taking serious note of police chief YS Dadwal's absence in the House during a discussion on the city's law and order situation, Assembly Speaker Yoganand Shastri on Friday directed Delhi Government to ensure presence of the top cop during any debate on the subject in future.

Taking serious note of police chief YS Dadwal's absence in the House during a discussion on the city's law and order situation, Assembly Speaker Yoganand Shastri on Friday directed Delhi Government to ensure presence of the top cop during any debate on the subject in future.

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The Speaker's directive came a day after MLAs cutting across party lines, strongly resented Dadwal's absence and refused to initiate a discussion on the subject which led to adjournment of the House for the day.

"I have taken the issue seriously and directed the Government to ensure the police commissioner's presence during any discussion on law and order situation in the city," Shastri said as soon as the House began its proceedings on Friday.

He said it has been a tradition that whenever discussion on law and order situation takes place, the police chief comes to the officers' gallery to understand the sentiments of the elected representatives.

"The police commissioner's absence during the scheduled discussion on the subject is kind of disrespecting the sentiment of the MLAs," he said.

Dadwal's absence led to a huge uproar and protest from both ruling and Opposition benches, with several MLAs terming it as "contempt of the House" as well as "insult to the peoples' representatives".

The discussion on the issue will now take place on Monday and the top official has been told to remain present in the House then.