Question Hour Set to Return in Delhi Assembly's Budget Session: Speaker
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Synopsis
Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta announced the reintroduction of Question Hour in the upcoming Budget session, emphasizing a paper-free legislative process and plans to promote the Assembly as a national monument.
Key Takeaways
- Question Hour will return during the Budget session.
- Speaker urges paper-free legislative processes.
- Speaker expresses concern over disruptions during sessions.
- Public Accounts Committee to review CAG reports.
- Plans to enhance the historic significance of the Assembly.
New Delhi, March 4 (NationPress) Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta announced on Tuesday the revival of Question Hour during the upcoming Budget session, aiming to make legislative activities paper-free and transform the historic legislature into a national monument as his primary objectives.
During his inaugural press conference, Speaker Gupta expressed his disappointment over the disorderly conduct that disrupted Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena’s address to the House, which led to the suspension of Opposition members.
“The LG’s address is a significant event, and he was fulfilling his constitutional responsibilities. The Rules of Procedure prohibit such interruptions during the LG’s Address. Consequently, members were suspended by the House for three sittings following the disturbance,” he stated.
Speaker Gupta conveyed his distress regarding the actions of Leader of Opposition Atishi and her AAP colleagues who interrupted the proceedings when she was invited to speak about his election as Speaker.
Looking back at the recently concluded Assembly session, Speaker Gupta noted, “The CAG’s Performance Audit Report on the Regulation and Supply of Liquor in Delhi was presented to the House on February 25 by the Chief Minister and was debated for two days, with 23 members participating.”
He added that on February 28, the Chief Minister submitted the CAG’s Report on Public Health Infrastructure and Management of Health Services, which was discussed on February 28 and March 3, 2025.
“The Public Accounts Committee will review these Reports. I have instructed the PAC to present its findings within three months. The Excise and Health departments are required to provide their action-taken reports within a month,” he explained.
Outlining his priorities for the functioning of the House, Speaker Gupta stated, “Question Hour will be reinstated in the Budget session scheduled for March 24-26—a practice that had been nearly abandoned by the former government. All members will be treated equally, regardless of party affiliation.”
“However, if the Rules are breached, stringent measures will be enforced. Maximizing the use of floor time will be my utmost concern. The House will operate with cooperation, balance, goodwill, and established Rules,” he assured.
“The eVidhan project aimed at making the Assembly paperless has been pending for nearly a decade. I plan to take immediate action to implement it and fully digitize the Delhi Assembly,” the Speaker remarked.
He also shared his vision to draw tourists to the historic structure of the Delhi Assembly.
“The Delhi Assembly building holds immense historical significance in our freedom struggle. We will seek expert consultation to develop the Old Secretariat as a national monument and a major tourist attraction,” he concluded.
