Govt mulls special session to pass Janlokpal Bill

Delhi government is contemplating a proposal to summon special session of Delhi Assembly to pass the much awaited Janlokpal Bill in the current calender year. According to senior Delhi government officers the bill is ready but legislators want a ‘special date’ to introduce it in the Assembly.

“There is strong pressure from Aam Aadmi Party MLAs to call special session of the House to introduce the bill as was done during the rule of AAP’s 49 days earlier,” said a senior officer of Delhi government. “The Cabinet is weighing two proposals — calling special session after the Winter session to introduce the bill in the Assembly and secondly extending the Winter session specially to introduce the Janlokpal Bill,” he added. 

It is important to note that Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had resigned in his first tenure on the 49th day blaming Congress and BJP blocking the bill. The government is now facing criticism for not introducing the bill in the House even after completing over nine months in office. The importance of special session also has the logic as there will be only one legislative day in the 10 days Winter Assembly session. Delhi Cabinet is yet to take a final decision on the bills to be introduced in the House but according to sources, amendments in Right To Education Act and giving more powers to magistrates are likely to be introduced in the House beginning from November 18.

A discussion on crime and law and order situation in the city during the Winter session of the Assembly is likely to heat up political temperatures as the issues come under the jurisdiction of Central government. 

According to sources, AAP MLAs are planning to request the Speaker to summon Delhi Police Commissioner to the Assembly. The Opposition is, however, preparing to raise the issue of Janlokpal Bill, CAG audit of discoms, releasing funds to MCDs and demanding implementation of the report of the Delhi Finance Commission. Both BJP and Congress have warned the government to protest at the Assembly for their demands on the very first day of the session.