The Hindu : New Delhi News : Excise policy, power crisis to dominate Budget session

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jul 20, 2004

New Delhi

New Delhi

Excise policy, power crisis to dominate Budget session

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, JULY 19. The Budget session of the Delhi Assembly beginning tomorrow is likely to be a stormy one with the Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party all set to corner the Sheila Dikshit Government on the issue of liberalised excise policy, crisis on the power and water front and the problems faced by the people under the Unit Area Method system of computing property tax.

The Delhi Government is yet to notify the official business for the session. The session will begin with the election of the Speaker tomorrow. The Lieutenant-Governor, B.L. Joshi, will address the session on July 21 and the Budget would be presented on July 22. The 12-day session will dedicate four days for discussing the Budget proposals and four days for the motion of thanks on the Lieutenant-Governor's address. There will be two private members' days for the MLAs to raise issues relating to various fields and also enable them to introduce Private Members Bills.

The BJP is in no mood to let the Government off the hook. However, the past record of the party does not really hold much promise as it has faltered on many issues. The Leader of the Opposition, Jagdish Mukhi, said BJP would raise the issue of power and water crisis in the Capital. He said the Opposition would take up the problems arising out of the implementation of the Unit Area Method system of property tax. Mr. Mukhi said the situation prevailing on the power front was very worrisome as people were not only being subjected to unscheduled power cuts but have also been flooded with inflated power bills. The BJP plans to target the Chief Minister, Sheila Dikshit, and charge her with going soft on the issue of water problem following the decision of the Congress Government in Punjab to annul water-sharing agreements. The Delhi Government, Mr. Mukhi said, had failed to make its stand clear on the issue and has remained a mute spectator. For its part, the ruling party will have to explore new issues as it cannot rake up its pet issues of corruption in the DDA, demand for Statehood and regularisation of unauthorised colonies in the Capital as a Congress-led coalition is ruling at the Centre.

The legislators are planning to raise various issues concerning the people of Delhi and their own constituencies. The Congress legislator, Bhisham Sharma, is bringing forward a resolution demanding holding of Panchayat elections in the Capital. Similarly, Anjali Rai is introducing a resolution under Rule 89, which calls for ensuring adequate water for future generation of Delhi. There is another resolution to be introduced by Tarwinder Singh Marwah asking for declaration of assets by Ministers and MLAs. The Delhi Government is also bringing forward a legislation to amend a section of the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act.

The Hastsal MLA, Mukesh Sharma, has given notice for introduction of a Bill seeking compulsory registration of massage parlours. He has also given a notice for introduction of the Delhi Destitute Women Protection Bill 2004. The BJP's notice for short duration discussion on water and power has been accepted.

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