The Delhi Legislative Assembly is set to reconvene for its winter session, a focused four-day legislative exercise scheduled from January 5 to January 8. This fourth session of the eighth assembly will kick off with the customary address by Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena at 11 am on the opening day.
Session Schedule and Key Focus Areas
Following the inaugural day, the subsequent sittings of the House will begin at 2 pm. With a compact schedule, the session is anticipated to be an intense period of legislative scrutiny rather than prolonged debates. Key themes expected to dominate the proceedings include development delivery, administrative efficiency, and financial discipline.
Speaker Vijender Gupta has stressed the need for constructive engagement, disciplined conduct, and adherence to procedure. He expressed optimism that members would utilize the time effectively to highlight public concerns, seek governmental clarifications, and contribute to informed decision-making for Delhi's residents.
Question Hour and Special Mentions
A significant highlight of this session will be the emphasis on Question Hour, slated for three consecutive days. Legislators will have the opportunity to question several major service-delivery departments, including:
- Health and Education
- Power and Water
- Transport and Finance
- Urban Development
This mechanism is designed to hold the government accountable and seek time-bound responses on governance issues.
Additionally, Special Mentions under Rule 280 are expected to play a pivotal role. Given strict limits on their number and duration, these interventions will likely be used as precision tools to spotlight critical governance gaps and urgent public matters, potentially signaling the assembly's priorities for the coming year.
The 'Phansi Ghar' Resolution on the Agenda
One of the notable items of business will be a resolution concerning the authenticity of the 'Phansi Ghar' (execution room). The Business Advisory Committee (BAC) of the Delhi Assembly adopted this resolution on Friday, and it will now be presented before the full House during the winter session.
This issue stems from a political dispute between the AAP and the BJP over a renovated section within the assembly premises. The AAP contends it is a British-era gallows chamber, while the BJP claims it was merely a tiffin room. The Committee of Privileges had earlier summoned former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, ex-deputy CM Manish Sisodia, former Speaker Ram Niwas Goel, and ex-deputy Speaker Rakhi Birla for their statements. However, the panel noted that all four leaders did not appear before it despite two opportunities.
The matter was then forwarded to the BAC to decide the procedural path for the House's consideration, leading to the forthcoming resolution.
With inputs from agencies including PTI and ANI, the winter session promises to be a concentrated and eventful period for Delhi's legislative affairs.
