The Delhi Assembly saw heated exchanges on Thursday as several MLAs expressed anger over the shortage of office space for legislative committee chairpersons, saying it was badly affecting the work of important panels.

Tarvinder Singh Marwah (Jangpura), Karnail Singh (Shakur Basti) and Ashok Goel (Model Town) raised the issue during proceedings, pointing out delays and difficulties even a month after the committees were set up.

“The Speaker made me a chairman, but I still don’t have an office,” Marwah said. “Meanwhile, council staff are using multiple rooms in the Secretariat. If space isn’t given, we’ll hold meetings outside your office,” he warned.

Karnail Singh noted that three chairpersons were being asked to share a single room without even basic facilities. Ashok Goel added that some Assembly rooms were being used by outside bodies like the Delhi Pharmacy Council.

Speaker Vijender Gupta admitted there was a severe space crunch, revealing that there are 25 committee chairmen but only 11 rooms available. “Even important committees don’t have offices. This is unfair. I can’t allow three chairpersons in one room,” he said.

Gupta also pointed out that the Delhi Pharmacy Council alone was using eight rooms, while other departments — including the Directorate of Education and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting’s publication division — were occupying Assembly space.

“They refuse to vacate. I’ve discussed this with the Education Minister. Many chairmen have complained to me, and frankly, it’s humiliating,” Gupta said. “I can issue eviction notices, but that should be the last option.”

Environment and Industries Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa apologised in the House and promised quick action. “We take this seriously. An inquiry will be launched, and departments misusing space will face action,” he assured.