Delhi Assembly Plans Major Rule Overhaul for Inclusivity

NEW DELHI:
Delhi assembly speaker Vijender Gupta on Monday announced a comprehensive review of the Assembly’s Rules of Procedure, aligning them with the GNCTD (Amendment) Act and parliamentary practices to enhance clarity, inclusivity, and legislative accountability.

Addressing a press conference, Gupta said that Rule 280 of the Assembly procedures would be amended to mirror practices of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. The reforms will also introduce gender-neutral terminology and simplified legislative language.

“There is a misconception that the Assembly committees cannot examine CAG reports or summon officers. This is not true. The amendment in the GNCTD Act in 2023 did not restrict committee powers,” Gupta clarified. He affirmed that committees like the Privileges and Petitions Committees retain the authority to summon officials and scrutinise CAG findings.

A draft of the proposed changes is ready, and the Rules Committee is scheduled to meet on June 5. Gupta said that best practices from both houses of Parliament would be incorporated to ensure procedural robustness.

The Speaker also revealed that the Eighth Delhi Assembly will complete its 100th working day on June 4. A special report-card highlighting key reforms and milestones will be presented on June 6.

Among the key announcements were the formation of two new panels: the Committee on the Welfare of Senior Citizens and the Committee on the Welfare of Transgenders and Persons with Disabilities. These, Gupta said, are meant to address the concerns of marginalised communities in a more structured way.

To improve transparency and compliance, six long-pending CAG reports have been tabled, and the Assembly is launching a digital Audit Para Monitoring System (APMS) mobile app for real-time tracking of audit recommendations.

Responding to recent comments from former CM Atishi regarding the Public Accounts Committee’s jurisdiction, Gupta said Rule 280 had often been misinterpreted and was used for “vested interests.” While he didn’t name any party, AAP hit back, calling Gupta’s remarks ironic and accusing him of previously disrupting Assembly sessions.

The last amendment to the Rules of Procedure was made in 2017.