New Delhi, Jan 5 (NationPress) The winter session of the Delhi Legislative Assembly commenced on Monday, paving the way for critical discussions on significant issues such as air pollution, environmental challenges, and the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) reports concerning the 'Sheesh Mahal' and the Delhi Jal Board.

This four-day session is set to run until January 8.

Prior to the session, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta called on legislators from both the ruling party and the Opposition to participate constructively and ensure valuable discussions.

In her statement to the press, she remarked, "I urge both ruling and opposition members to fulfill their duties and engage in productive dialogue on the pressing concerns facing Delhi."

She stressed that the Assembly should act as a forum for tackling public issues and influencing policy.

"Every MLA should voice the challenges from their constituencies, as this session is intended for policy formulation and execution, featuring critical bills and discussions," Gupta noted.

Highlighting the government’s aim to include all legislators, she added, "The government has initiated this dialogue, and all MLAs are encouraged to contribute meaningfully, so we can collectively identify better solutions for Delhi."

Calling this session vital for the capital, she stated, "It is our shared duty to maximize every moment for the benefit of Delhi."

Meanwhile, the Opposition is prepared to vigorously address the worsening air quality, as the national capital faces alarmingly high Air Quality Index (AQI) levels, raising serious health concerns among its residents.

While the ruling party maintained an optimistic stance and called for constructive debate, Opposition MLAs, led by Leader of Opposition Atishi, arrived at the Assembly donning face masks to emphasize the seriousness of the escalating pollution crisis.

Atishi told reporters, "Delhi's residents have struggled to breathe properly for the last four months. Children are suffering, and the elderly are at risk. Hospitals like AIIMS are indicating that life in Delhi is becoming untenable. Yet, what is the Delhi government doing? They are manipulating the AQI measurements."

She further accused the government of failing in pollution control measures, stating, "GRAP is not being executed effectively. As a result, residents of Delhi are compelled to wear masks to shield themselves from the increasing pollution levels. Today, AAP MLAs are wearing these masks to highlight the people’s issues."

The BJP, on the other hand, is steadfast in advocating for discussions regarding the CAG reports, particularly those related to the Sheesh Mahal, which they label as "corruption" under the previous AAP administration.

Deputy Speaker Mohan Singh Bisht announced that the CAG reports would be presented on Tuesday.

"Today, the Lieutenant Governor will deliver a speech, and time for debate will be allocated tomorrow. Other reports will also be addressed tomorrow. We will finalize the agenda today," he told IANS.

BJP MLA Satish Upadhyay remarked, "Today, the Lieutenant Governor will speak, and the Business Advisory Committee will convene. When the CAG report is available, there will undoubtedly be constructive discussions, and any irregularities or misconduct by previous administrations exposed by the CAG will not be ignored."

BJP MLA Anil Sharma described today as "a significant day," stating, "The discussions, especially regarding the CAG report and 'Sheesh Mahal', will inform the populace of Delhi about the extent of prior mismanagement and corruption that hindered the city’s progress."

BJP MLA Chandan Kumar Choudhary mentioned that the Rekha Gupta-led administration is diligently working towards transforming Delhi into a progressive metropolis.

"However, over the last 11 years, the former government was embroiled in scandals, and the CAG report will highlight those issues," he added.

With intense debates anticipated on pollution and accountability, the winter session is set to be politically charged.