New Delhi:
In a setback to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi, the central government on Friday returned as many as 14 pending bills of the state government. The central government's move could well spark off a fresh tussle with the Delhi government, close on the heels of the controversy over 21 MLAs being appointed as parliamentary secretaries.
The Jan Lokpal Bill was among the 14 bills returned. If the nod is given, then only it can be moved for legislative approval. When the assembly passes the bill, then it has to go to the Lieutenant Governor and again to the central government for Presidential assent.
In none of the 14 bills, the Delhi government took prior approval from the central government and straightway passed the bills in the assembly. Since proper procedures were not followed, all the 14 bills were returned to the Delhi government for correction, the official said.
This came weeks after President Pranab Mukherjee refused assent to a legislation that sought to protect 21 Aam Aadmi Party MLAs, who have been appointed Parliamentary Secretaries, from disqualification for honding office of profit.
The bills which were returned in the last few weeks include the Janlokpal Bill 2015, the Minimum Wages (Delhi Amendment) Bill 2015, Delhi School (Verification Of Accounts and Refund of Excess Fee) Bill 2015, Delhi School Education (Amendment) Bill 2015, Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (Delhi Amendment) Bill 2015 and a Bill related to working journalists.
This development is likely to trigger a fresh dual between the AAP government and the Centre that have been locked in a face-off over various issues.
