Minister feels embarrassed

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, SEPT. 30.

The ruling party suffered embarrassment in the Delhi Assembly on Friday when the Social Welfare Minister, Ms. Krishna Tirath, fumbled and failed to tackle the situation arising out of the decision of Mr.Mukesh Sharma (Cong-I) to press for voting on the Delhi Women Reservation Bill 2001 moved by him. In fact, it was for the first time that a Private Member Bill was referred to Select Committee.

Similarly, regardless of the serious resistance by some bureaucrats and pressure from Raj Niwas, Mr. Arvinder Singh Lovely's ``The Public Scrutiny of Government Servants Bill 2001'' was also introduced in the Assembly. It is understood that Chief Minister, Ms. Sheila Dikshit, had given the nod for introduction of the Bill which had attracted much attention due to the provisions which called for constitution of a House Committee to probe the assets of bureaucrats. The Speaker, Chaudhary Prem Singh, is also understood to have resisted pressure to stall introduction of this Bill and, reportedly, turned down requests from various quarters.

Interestingly, during the debate on the Delhi Women Reservation Bill 2001, the member pleaded that it should be taken up and passed immediately as it dealt with an important issue. Responding, Ms. Tirath said she had already submitted to the Speaker that the government proposed to bring a similar Bill and said this Private Member's Bill should be withdrawn or sent to the Select Committee. At this, the Speaker, informed the Minister that once the Bill is sent to the Select Committee, the government would not be able to bring its own legislation. This caught the Minister off-guard and she was seen looking towards her Ministerial colleagues as well as the Chief Minister for advice.

But that was not forthcoming. The Minister then got up and asked the Member to withdraw his Bill. However, Mr. Sharma refused to oblige and said the Bill could be put to vote. At this, Ms. Tirath developed cold feet as she was not sure if the party MLAs, who are cut up with her for various reasons, would back her. She sought a signal from the Chief Minister who gestured to the Minister that it was her to decide. Ms. Tirath then said the Bill could be referred to the Select Committee, much to the amusement of Mr. Sharma and other colleagues.

However, insiders revealed that it was decided in the morning by the Chief Minister that the Bill be referred to the Select Committee. Although, Ms.Tirath agreed for it changed her mind at the last moment. This is what seems to have led to the embarrassment. But this incident also reflected poorly on the Chief Minister as, being the head of the Council of Ministers, she should have immediately sent across her advice, through the Chief Whip, and ensured that the directions were complied by her party MLAs.

On the Public Security of Assets of Government Servants Bill 2001, a number of senior IAS officers are understood to have met the Chief Minister and the Lt.-Governor, Mr. Vijai Kapoor, and expressed concern over introduction of such a Bill.

They argued the civil servants were already covered by the Central Government Acts and this Bill was not required. However, Ms.Dikshit was firm and said the Bill would not be stalled as it would send the wrong signal on their resolve to fight corruption. She gave the signal to Mr. Lovely to go ahead with the Bill and introduce it. The Bill will come up for discussion during the next session.

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