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NDTV
3 days ago
- General
- NDTV
Delhi Assembly To Introduce Gender-Neutral Terminology In Rule Book
New Delhi: Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta on Monday said they are planning to make amendments to Rules of Procedure in accordance with the GNCTD (Amendment) Act. Addressing a press conference, Gupta said they are planning to make amendments to Rules Of Procedure and make them at par with Parliament. The senior leader also said that Rule 280 of the Rules of Procedure will be reviewed and amended to align with the practices of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, in accordance with the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) (Amendment) Act, 2021. The review will also focus on simplifying legislative language and introducing gender-neutral terminology, he said. Gupta said the amendment in the GNCTD Act in 2023 did not alter the way the house functions in or impose any restrictions on the working of the assembly committees. "There have been allegations that the Assembly committees cannot examine CAG reports or summon officers, but the powers of the committees have not been reduced," he said. "The previous government used to summon officials in routine matters. The assembly committees -- privileges committee and the petitions committee-- can call officials and seek explanation in case of a complaint and also look into CAG reports," he added. He said that a draft is ready and the first meeting of the Rules Committee will be held on June 5. The review will also focus on simplifying legislative language and introducing gender-neutral terminology, reflecting the Assembly's commitment to inclusivity, clarity, and equality in its operations. The Eighth Delhi Assembly is approaching its 100th working day on June 4. Gupta said a special report-card is being prepared to document the milestones, decisions, and reforms undertaken and will be presented on June 6. He said two new committees have been constituted -- the Committee on the Welfare of Senior Citizens and the Committee on the Welfare of Transgenders and Persons with Disabilities. "These committees are aimed at strengthening the institutional framework for addressing the concerns of marginalised groups. The rules governing their structure and functioning will be placed before the Rules Committee for detailed review and recommendations," he added. Best practices from the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha will be studied and incorporated to ensure effectiveness and alignment with national standards, he added. He also said the six long-pending reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) were tabled in the House during this period. To strengthen audit follow-up mechanisms, the Assembly is developing a dedicated Audit Para Monitoring System (APMS) mobile application. This digital tool will enable real-time tracking of audit recommendations, improve compliance, and enhance financial oversight, he added. The last amendment to the Rules of Procedure were made in 2017. Last month, former chief minister Atishi had written to Gupta and said that the public accounts committee does not have the authority to examine CAG reports on public health, liquor supply and vehicular air pollution. Gupta also said that Rule 280 was not clearly defined and was sometimes used by members for "vested" interests. While he did not mention any party, AAP hit out at him saying it was strange that a person who used every opportunity during last 10 years to disrupt Delhi Legislative Assembly is pointing fingers at others. "Mr Vijender Gupta is the same person who embarrassed his whole party, who stood on the desk of Legislative Assembly during its session. Mr Gupta should use his office to fulfill his promise to Bus Marshals about permanent jobs," the AAP said.
India Gazette
3 days ago
- Business
- India Gazette
Law Researchers file petition in Delhi HC for salary hike, pending arrears
New Delhi [India], June 3 (ANI): A group of law researchers has moved the Delhi High Court, seeking implementation of the Chief Justice's directive to increase their monthly remuneration to Rs 80,000, effective from October 1, 2022. Their plea also demands arrears along with 18 per cent annual interest. The petition underscored that under Article 229, the Delhi High Court framed the Establishment Rules, 1972, leading to the creation of 367 posts of Senior Judicial Assistants, 120 of which were designated for law researchers under the Scheme for Engagement of Law Researchers in the High Court of Delhi. The case was listed for hearing last week before a bench comprising Justice C Harishankar and Justice Ajay Digpaul. However, due to Justice Digpaul's recusal from the matter, it was transferred to a different bench. During proceedings, Justice Harishankar acknowledged that law researchers often work longer hours than judges and that Supreme Court law researchers receive significantly higher remuneration. He expressed concern that, despite two years having passed since the proposal's approval, no action had been taken, stating that law researchers deserve recognition and fair compensation for their work. Consequently, the matter was referred to a different bench for review after court vacations. Initially, law researchers received Rs 25,000 per month, which was increased to Rs 35,000 in August 2017 upon approval from the then Acting Chief Justice. Further increments under Article 229 saw their pay rise to Rs 50,000 in August 2018, Rs 65,000 in August 2019, and, most recently, Rs 80,000 from October 2022, sanctioned by the Chief Justice. Despite these approvals, the proposal remains pending with the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD). Repeated representations by law researchers urging implementation have gone unheeded, with only a prospective increase from Rs 35,000 to Rs 65,000 being sanctioned in November 2021, overlooking prior approvals. Frustrated by delays, the petitioners filed RTI applications in March and August 2024, revealing that the proposal had been submitted to GNCTD in September 2023 but was yet to be approved. Further queries to the Finance and Law Departments highlighted bureaucratic obstacles, with officials withholding information under Section 8(1)(i) of the RTI Act. Nearly two years since the initial proposal submission, despite multiple reminders and High Court clarifications provided in May 2024, the remuneration increase has not been implemented. The petition asserted that the prolonged delay in executing the Chief Justice's directive and the continued withholding of arrears, despite clear administrative and constitutional approvals, necessitate urgent judicial intervention. (ANI)
The Hindu
27-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Creating chaos may lead to removal from House panel hearings: Speaker
Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta on Tuesday said that any member indulging in violent or disruptive behaviour aimed at derailing the proceedings of House committees could be removed from that sitting. The statement came in response to a letter from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Ajay Mahawar, Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), who accused members of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of disrupting a committee meeting where the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) reports were under discussion. The CAG reports tabled in the Assembly have been referred to the PAC for examination. The controversy follows the tabling of eight of the 14 pending CAG reports, some critical of the previous AAP government. Mr. Mahawar's letter, dated May 26, alleged that during the PAC's introductory sitting on May 22, Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Atishi, along with two other AAP MLAs — Kuldeep Kumar and Virender Singh — 'vociferously objected' to the committee's authority to 'examine the CAG reports'. He claimed Ms. Atishi cited the Government of NCT of Delhi (Amendment) (GNCTD) Act, 2021, asserting that it stripped the Assembly and its committees of powers to 'examine matters of day-to-day administration'. Despite repeated requests to allow the proceedings, the AAP MLAs continued to object, Mr. Mahawar claimed, adding that the proceedings resumed only after assuring the Opposition party members that their concerns would be conveyed to the Speaker. PAC power upheld Responding to AAP leaders' claim, Speaker Gupta clarified that PAC's role in examining CAG reports remains unaffected by the 2021 amendment to the GNCTD Act. He affirmed that committee chairpersons have inherent powers to maintain order and can direct disruptive members to withdraw from the proceedings. 'Any members indulging in violent or disruptive behaviour and creating utter chaos may be asked to withdraw [from the proceedings]. If the member refuses to do so, he may be removed from that sitting,' the Speaker said. 'This is outrageous. We are now being told that if we raise questions in a committee, we'll be thrown out,' the LoP said.
India Gazette
23-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
SC allows Delhi BJP government to withdraw cases against Centre and LG filed during AAP rule
New Delhi [India], May 23 (ANI): The Supreme Court on Friday permitted the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)- led Delhi government to withdraw all seven petitions filed by the erstwhile Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government against the Lieutenant Governor and the Centre. A bench of Chief Justice of India BR Gavai and Justice Augustine George Masih allowed the government to withdraw the cases after Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, appearing for the Delhi government, sought to withdraw the pleas. Bhati said the Delhi government had filed an application seeking the withdrawal of seven cases pending in the apex court, which challenged the authority of the LG in several committees, including solid waste management, Yamuna cleaning and against the validity of Acts and ordinances. The cases that the Delhi government sought to withdraw were related to an Additional plea reasserting that the LG is constitutionally required to act on the aid and advice of the GNCTD's council of ministers and another seeking directives regarding the appointment of the chairperson of the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC). The Delhi government has also decided to drop its challenge to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and LG orders relating to the release of payments to government-appointed lawyers and the process for appointing advocates-on-record and other legal representatives in the Supreme Court and the Delhi High Court. Another plea that the Delhi government has sought to withdraw was the AAP government's plea challenging the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) (Amendment) Act, 2023, which created an authority for the transfer and posting of Group-A officers in Delhi. Another case that sought to be withdrawn was against a decision of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), which asked the LG to head a high-level committee constituted to deal with issues concerning the rejuvenation of the Yamuna River. The apex court had stayed the order in July 2023. It further sought to withdraw the plea where the AAP government had alleged the non-release of sanctioned funds for the Delhi Jal Board for the financial year 2023-2025 by the Finance Department of GNCTD. (ANI)
Mint
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Mint
Supreme Court allows Rekha Gupta-led Delhi govt to withdraw all 7 cases filed by erstwhile AAP govt against LG
The Supreme Court on Friday allowed the BJP-led government in Delhi to withdraw all the seven petitions filed by the erstwhile AAP government against the Lieutenant Governor of the National Capital Territory. The AAP-led Delhi government had earlier filed as many as seven cases against the Centre and the Lieutenant Governor (LG) over issues including the control over services in the national capital. On Thursday, a bench of Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh directed to list the application filed by the BJP-led Delhi government for Maty 23. The seven cases filed by the AAP government challenged the LG's authority on various boards, including solid waste management, Yamuna cleaning and against the validity of Acts and ordinances. 'These matters should not trouble this court anymore,' Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati said on behalf of the Delhi government. In July 2023, the top court sought a reply from the Centre over the then AAP-led government's plea challenging the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) (Amendment) Act, 2023. The Act, which was initially an ordinance, created an authority for transfer and posting of Group-A officers in Delhi. It had come a week after the SC handed over the control of services in Delhi excluding police, public order and land to the elected government. Another case that was sought to be withdrawn is against a decision of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), which was stayed in July 2023 by the top court. The NGT order of January 19, 2023 asked the LG to head a high-level committee constituted to deal with issues concerning the rejuvenation of the Yamuna River. Among other cases that were sought to be withdrawn is the challenge to the alleged non-release of sanctioned funds for the Delhi Jal Board for the financial year 2023-2025 by the Finance Department of GNCTD, re-declaration that the LG of Delhi is bound by the aid and advice of the council of ministers of the GNCTD and directions for appointment of the chairperson of Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC). The Delhi government has also sought to withdraw the challenge to orders issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the LG with respect to release of payments to advocates appointed by the ministers without the concurrence of the LG of Delhi and the appointment of advocates on record (AoRs) and advocates in the Supreme Court and the Delhi High Court.
