Latest news with #RulesofProcedure
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Business Standard
a day ago
- Politics
- Business Standard
Delhi Assembly to introduce gender-neutral language in rule book: Speaker
Speaker Vijender Gupta said a 100-day report card on Delhi Assembly work will be out June 6, highlighting 12 sittings and 46+ hours of debate - the longest session stretch in 25 years Nandini Singh New Delhi Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta has announced plans to amend the Assembly's Rules of Procedure to reflect values of 'inclusivity, clarity, and equality', reported The Hindu. Speaking at a recent press conference, Gupta cited the consistent use of male pronouns in the existing rule book as an outdated practice. 'The process has already started. On June 5, the Rules Committee of the Assembly will meet to discuss and review the changes,' he said. He confirmed that gender-neutral terms like 'them' will replace gender-specific pronouns — a change inspired by best practices already adopted in both Houses of Parliament. These amendments are expected to be implemented in time for the upcoming Monsoon Session, scheduled for July. In addition to procedural changes, Speaker Gupta also shared that a comprehensive '100-day report card' on Assembly proceedings will be released on June 6. He revealed that over this period, the House convened for 12 sittings and held discussions for a total of 46 hours and 16 minutes — the longest single-session activity in the last 25 years. 'This reflects the seriousness and productivity with which legislative business is now being conducted,' Gupta stated. In another major announcement, the Speaker introduced the formation of two new standing committees: the Committee on Welfare of Senior Citizens and the Committee on Welfare of Transgender People. These bodies will focus on policy oversight and advocacy for often overlooked communities in the national capital.
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.
Indian Express
4 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
What powers do Delhi Assembly committees have? New rules set to define
The powers of Delhi Legislative Assembly Committees, which have been a sore point between the BJP and the AAP of late, will be 'defined' in the Rules of Procedure of the House, Speaker Vijender Gupta said Monday. Gupta also said that the language of the rules will be made gender neutral, since they only refer to members as 'he' at present. Another change is expected in the rules for Special Mention during Assembly sessions. Leader of Opposition Atishi had raised the issue regarding the powers of Assembly committees after the amendment to the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act in 2021, which curtails the power of these committees to look into day-to-day administration and administrative decisions. In a letter to Gupta, Atishi had said that the Public Accounts Committee does not have the power to look into the CAG reports because of the amendment. On Monday, Gupta said that the amendment did not affect the power of the Committees, and these will be defined in the new rules. 'The previous government misused committees. The amendments in the Act and how they impact the working of Committees will also be clarified in the rules,' he said. Talking about the other changes, Gupta said, 'Rules are being reviewed to be brought at par with rules in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. They will be made to follow best practices. The process has started, and the draft is ready. The first meeting of the Rules Committee will be held on June 5.' Speaking about the Special Mention, Gupta said that the rules are defined. 'It talks only about raising matters that are points of order. It is being used very casually at present. We will bring it in line with norms in Rajya Sabha,' he said. Deputy Speaker Mohan Singh Bisht added that for issues raised under Special Mention, officials would sometimes not respond. 'Now it will be ensured that questions are answered. If answers were wrong, there was no accountability. Next time onward, if questions are not answered by officials, they will be held accountable,' he said. Gupta, meanwhile, also said that a report of 100 days of the House will be released on June 6.
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Male pronoun to be replaced with ‘them' in Assembly rule book to promote gender-inclusivity: Speaker
Speaker Vijender Gupta on Monday said the 'Rules of Procedure' by which the Assembly is run will be amended to reflect 'the Assembly's commitment to inclusivity, clarity, and equality'. As an example, he cited the use of the male pronoun in the rule book, which he said will be replaced with the gender-neutral word 'them', in line with the best practices followed by the two houses of Parliament. 'The process has already started. On June 5, the Rules Committee of the Assembly will meet to discuss and review the changes,' said Mr. Gupta while addressing a press conference. The amended rule book is likely to be implemented during the upcoming Monsoon Session, which is expected to be held in July. He also said that a 'report card' on the 100 days of Assembly proceedings will be released on June 6. The Speaker said the House convened for 12 sittings and conducted business for 46 hours and 16 minutes, the longest legislative activity witnessed in a single session over the last 25 years. Mr. Gupta also announced the constitution of two new Assembly committees — Welfare of Senior Citizens and Welfare of Transgender People.
United News of India
29-05-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
Cong writes to Guv on BJP MLC's speech
Bengaluru, May 29 (UNI) Karnataka minister NS Boseraju and legislative council chief whip Saleem Ahmed on Thursday submitted a formal representation to Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, urging legal action against BJP MLC N Ravikumar for what they described as a communal and defamatory attack on Deputy Commissioner of Kalaburagi, Fauzia Tarannum. In their letter, the senior Congress leaders asserted that the MLC's remark, suggesting that Tarannum might have come from Pakistan rather than being a bona fide IAS office, was not merely a personal insult but a direct assault on the Constitution's foundational principles of secularism, equality before law, and administrative impartiality. 'It is not merely an affront to an individual officer, but a direct attack on the constitutional principles of secularism, equality before law, and administrative impartiality,' the letter stated. The controversial remark was made by Ravikumar during a BJP-led 'Kalaburagi Chalo' protest on May 24. In reference to DC Tarannum, he said, 'The Kalaburagi DC office has also lost its independence… I don't know whether the DC has come from Pakistan or is an IAS officer here.' The ministers described the comment as communally charged, defamatory, and dangerous to the secular fabric of the state. They argued that such rhetoric targets a civil servant solely based on her perceived religious identity and sends a chilling message to others in public service. Highlighting Tarannum's professional credentials, the representation noted that she was recently awarded by the President of India for Best Electoral Practices (2024–25). 'Public service cannot function in an atmosphere of fear, religious profiling, and political coercion,' the leaders wrote, warning that unchecked hate speech undermines both constitutional morality and administrative functioning. The representation cited Articles 14, 15, and 21 of the Constitution, as well as Supreme Court rulings that affirm the right to dignity and the state's duty to prevent hate speech. The letter also referenced ongoing criminal proceedings against Ravikumar under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including charges relating to defamation, provocation of breach of peace, and promoting religious enmity. However, the leaders said criminal prosecution alone was inadequate and called upon the Governor to act in his capacity as the constitutional guardian of the state. They urged him to issue a formal condemnation of the remarks and recommend disciplinary proceedings against the MLC under the Rules of Procedure of the Legislative Council. 'A precedent must not be allowed to take root wherein public servants are vilified on religious grounds with impunity,' the letter emphasised. The appeal calls for a call for Karnataka to remain a bastion of secular, inclusive and impartial public administration, under the vigilant stewardship of the Governor. UNI BDN PRS
