SESSION REVIEW

Fifth Session of the Third Assembly

(22nd to 26th September 2005)

 

The session commenced on the 22nd  September 2005 and was adjourned sine die on the 26th September 2005 after holding three sittings. The House was expected to sit for 10 hours and 30 minutes whereas; the actual utilization of floor time worked out to 18 hours and 30 minutes.   Thus the grievances of the members that the session was too short were to a certain extent compensated by the extended sittings every day.   A brief summary of the various business disposed by the House during the session is as follows: -

 

Congratulatory Motion: On 22nd September 2005 the Hon'ble Speaker congratulated Shri Hashim Abdul Halim, Hon'ble Speaker of the West Bengal Assembly on being elected as the Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association. The valuable contributions of Shri Somnath Chatterjee, Hon'ble Speaker (Lok Sabha) and Shri GC Malhotra, Advisor & Former Secretary General Lok Sabha in this accomplishment was also praised.

 

            On 26th September 2005, the Hon'ble Speaker, on behalf of the House, greeted Dr. Man Mohan Singh, Hon’ble Prime Minister of India on his birthday.

 

Obituary References: On 22nd September 2005, obituary references were made on the passing away of:

1.      Shri Sunil Dutt, Former Union Minister.

2.      Shri Darshan Kumar Bahl, former Member of the Delhi Assembly (1993-1998).

 

No Confidence Motion: On the very first day of the session, the BJP, which is the main opposition party, gave notice for a No Confidence Motion. As the notice was in order, the Motion was taken up on the same day. The discussion lasted for three hours and forty minutes. Five members from the ruling party (INC) four members from the main opposition (BJP) and one from NCP participated in the debate. However, the members from the BJP walked out before the Chief Minister replied to the debate. After the CM’s reply the Motion was put to vote and negated.

Questions: The Secretariat received 371 notices for starred and unstarred questions. 60 questions were listed as starred questions out of which 12 were raised in the House.

 

Legislative Proposals: The following Bills were considered during the session:

  1. The Delhi Water Board (Amendment) Bill 2005 was introduced in the House on the 22nd September 2005 and taken up for consideration on the 26th September 2005. The Bill was referred to the Select Committee on the Motion moved by the Chief Minister.
  2. The Delhi Value Added Tax (Second Amendment) Bill 2005 was introduced in the House on the 22nd September 2005 and taken up for consideration on the 26th September 2005. The Bill was passed on the same day.

 

Committee Reports: Reports of the following Committees were adopted during the session:

  1. Seventh Report of the Business Advisory Committee
  2. Fifth Report of the Private Members Bills and Resolutions Committee
  3. Second Report of the Public Accounts Committee
  4. Second Report of the Committee on Government Undertakings
  5. First Report of the Papers Laid on The Table Committee

 

Special Mention: Thirty-One members raised issues under ‘Special Mention’ during the three-day session.

 

Calling Attention Motion: One Calling Attention Motion regarding issue of Optical Smart Cards by the Transport Department was admitted. It was raised on the 26th September 2005 and the Minister replied to the Members who sought clarifications.

 

Motion: The following Motion, notice for which was given by Dr. SC Vats, was unanimously adopted on the 26th September 2005:-

“That all unorganized labour, whether in construction, industrial or other unorganized sectors, be issued appointment letters to avoid their exploitation at the hands of unscrupulous employer;

This House further agrees that all such labourers must be paid as per the Minimum Wages Act in order to stop their exploitation.”

 

Short Duration Discussion: On 26th September 2005 discussions were held on the following subjects:

1.      ‘Issues relating to water supply in Delhi’ – The Chief Minister replied to the debate.

2.      ‘Non-regularisation of industrial areas in Delhi’ – the Minister of Industries replied to the debate.

 

Private Members’ Bills: The following Private Members’ Bills were introduced on the 23rd September 2005:

1.  Shri Bheeshm Sharma introduced ‘The Compulsory Insurance Of Government Contract Workers Bill, 2005’.

2.  Shri Mukesh Sharma introduced ‘The Delhi Electricity Reform (Amendment) Bill, 2005’.

3.  Shri Mukesh Sharma introduced ‘The Delhi Co-operative Societies (Amendment) Bill, 2005.

 

Private Members Resolutions: The following Resolutions were discussed in the House:

 

1. Shri OP Babber moved the following Resolution: “This House resolves that the financial assistance to disabled persons be increased from Rs. 1000 to Rs. 5000. This House further resolves that monthly pension to senior citizens be increased from Rs. 350 to Rs. 500 per month and pension should also be given to widows @ Rs. 500 per month.”

 The Resolution was negated by voice vote.

 

2. Shri Mohan Singh Bisht moved the following Resolution: “This House resolves that accredited journalists of Delhi be provided with plots/flats for residential purposes.”

The Resolution was put to vote and adopted.

 

3. Shri Ramvir Singh Bidhuri moved the following resolution: “This House resolves that the recently installed imported electricity meters should be immediately replaced with Indian made meters so that relief is provided to the people of Delhi who are suffering due to the fast running meters.” The Resolution was negated by voice vote.

 

The House was adjourned sine-die on the 26th September 2005 with the rendering of the National Anthem (Jana Gana Mana).