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MLAs in line for higher salaries

Staff Reporter

Resolution on sealing takes a back seat; postponed to Monday

NEW DELHI: The Delhi Assembly on Thursday managed to get through the Bill to raise the salaries of the MLAs but decided to postpone a debate on Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit's resolution on sealing to Monday.

On a day when the resolution seeking an end to sealing operations in the Capital was supposed to have been taken up for voting, the abrupt adjournment of the House on the plea that the MLAs had to attend a large number of marriages in town and the "Phool Walon Ki Sair" ceremony got the support of a number of MLAs and led to adjournment of the House within 30 minutes of its resumption.

The adjournment by the Speaker, Chaudhary Prem Singh, left political observers wondering if the MLAs were serious about the issue of sealing and seeking relief for the affected people.

However, before the adjournment, it was ensured that the Bill pertaining to increase in salaries of the Chief Minister, Ministers and MLAs be introduced by the Chief Minister.

Informed sources said that the decision to seek adjournment of the House was taken well before the sitting for the day began as the realisation dawned upon the Government that a large number of Congress MLAs were preparing to bring amendments to the official resolution of the Chief Minister that could lead to an awkward situation for her and the Government.

The notice for amendments seeking incorporation of words that the Delhi Laws (Special Provisions) Act, 2006, be placed in Schedule IX of the Constitution by amending Article 31B was given by Vijay Lochav, Anil Bhardwaj, Mahabal Mishra, Shadi Ram and Bhisham Sharma from the ruling Congress. NCP MLA Ramvir Singh Bidhuri had on Wednesday already introduced a similar amendment. It was felt by the Chief Minister's camp that it would be difficult to ignore such important amendments in view of the sensitive situation.

It is for the first time in recent years that Question Hour has not been taken up in the Delhi Assembly even after four sittings of the House.

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