In an attempt to get the Centre’s approval for Bills passed by the Delhi Assembly in 2015 and 2016, the city government is in the process of addressing questions about the pending Bills and preparing clarifications for the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
Two Bills to be retabled
After Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal called a review meeting earlier this month, the departments concerned have been preparing answers to the Centre’s queries on eight of the 14 pending Bills. According to the Law Department, the MHA had sought clarifications on two legislations proposing salary hikes for MLAs, and the Assembly Speaker and Deputy Speaker. Similarly, clarifications were sought for the Bill proposing to upgrade Netaji Subhas Institute of Technology to a university, the Bill regarding refund of excess fee charged by schools, and an amendment to the Delhi School Education Act. Justifications and comparisons with other States were sought for three Bills about salaries for Ministers, Leader of the Opposition and Chief Whip in the Assembly.
Law Minister Kailash Gahlot said the Delhi government would send clarifications for the pending Bills soon. Of the 14 Bills, two are expected to be retabled in the Assembly next month.