DESPITE ADVERSE comments from the Law Department, the Delhi Cabinet has cleared the Leader of the Opposition Bill. It is likely that this Bill will be introduced in the forthcoming budget session of the Delhi Assembly after getting approval from Lt. Governor Vijai Kapoor.
The Delhi Cabinet, at its meeting yesterday, also cleared hike in pension for the former metropolitan councillors.
The Congress Government is keen to give legal sanctity to the perks and privileges being given to Leader of the Opposition Jagdish Mukhi, who is in trouble over availing of these facilities. Delhi Lok Ayukta R.N.Aggarwal is hearing a complaint by senior Congress MLA Jagdish Anand that Mr Mukhi should be disqualified since he was enjoying perks and facilities of which he is not entitled.
But the Lok Ayukta case notwithstanding, the Delhi Cabinet has cleared the Leader of the Opposition Bill which will legalise Mr Mukhi's post. Till now the post of the Leader of the Opposition has no legal sanction, that it has not been created under a specific legislation.
The Bill proposes that the all the facilities which are given to Delhi Government ministers will also be given to the Leader of the Opposition. A Bill containing this proposal has been cleared despite comments from the Law Department that there was no provision under the National Capital Territory Act to give such perks and privileges to the leader of the Opposition.
A senior official said: "Since the Bill has been cleared by the Delhi Cabinet, it can be introduced in the Assembly if the Lt. Governor gives approval."
However, sources said the post of Leader of the Opposition may get legal sanction after the Bill's passage, but the controversy will remain regarding the allowances and perks which have been enjoyed by the Leader of the Opposition till now. "The facilities which Mr Mukhi has been getting till now will add to a substantial sum which has been borne by the exchequer. This amount will continue to be illegal," said an MLA.
Following the clearance of hike in pension for the former metropolitan councillors, an amendment Bill in this regard will also be introduced in the coming session.
A large number of former metropolitan councillors had demanded that their pension should be increased. Delhi Assembly Speaker Prem Singh had also fought for their rights and stressed that the pension should be raised.
