House may discuss DU quota for Delhi students
2DAY SESSION Govt ‘undemocratic’, not circulating agenda: Oppn
A two-day session of the Delhi assembly that begins on Wednesday is expected to be fiery as the opposition has accused the government of adopting undemocratic means by deliberately delaying circulation of the session agenda ‘to prevent the opposition from raising important issues’.
Government officials said some of the major issues that are likely to be taken up during the session include a short duration discussion on granting ownership rights to the landless who were allotted plots in villages in the 70s and reservation for local students in Delhi university colleges aided by the government.
The petitions committee of the Delhi assembly is also likely to submit its report on desilting of roads maintained by the MCDs and the PWD.
“The deputy CM had recently written to the L-G to use his good office to expedite the process of granting rights to the allottees. The issue will be taken up on Wednesday and a resolution is likely to be adopted by the house. Discussion is also expected on the status report that would be filed by the petition committees, which has been conducting surprise inspection of the drains with officials concerned over the past few days,” an official said.
“On Thursday, the house is expected to discuss issues related to reservation for Delhi students in DU. The ruling party legislators are also likely to raise the issue of giving extra weightage to job aspirants from Delhi applying for the 9,000 vacancy of teachers to be filled by the Delhi government,” the official added.
Leader of opposition Vijendar Gupta, however, questioned the government and termed the decision as ‘undemocratic’. Gupta said the strategy of the AAP government goes against democratic functioning as the opposition is denied an opportunity to raise issues of public interest in the House.
“Under the Rule 33, it is mandatory to give 12-day notice for starred and unstarred Questions. Rule 89 stipulates a 12-day notice for private member’s resolution. There are many other such rules cut shot as the AAP government fails to give sufficient time to raise the issues,” Gupta said.
Speaker Ram Niwas Goel, however, said members can raise their concerns under rule 280, which allows special mention in the House. “We are likely to receive the list of business that will be taken up in the House by evening. It could not be distributed due to holiday. The agendas would be circulated to the members by this evening and members would have enough time to prepare for discussion,” he said.