The Hindu : New Delhi News : All set for a stormy winter session

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Dec 16, 2004

New Delhi

New Delhi

All set for a stormy winter session

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, DEC 15. Even as the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party is gearing up to corner the Sheila Dikshit Government over the issue of imposition of fresh taxes and sharp increases in water charges, the Delhi Government has decided to go ahead with the proposed new Value Added Tax (VAT) legislation in the winter session of the Delhi Assembly beginning here on Thursday.

The five-day session is expected to generate a lot of heat as the Opposition is all set to take on the Government on important issues including unprecedented increase in water tariffs, chaos and confusion in implementation of the newly introduced Unit Area Method of property tax, proposed imposition of a new professional tax and also the long-pending proposal to raise bus fares in the Capital in the coming days. The deteriorating power situation in the Capital even before the winter chill has begun will also come up for discussion during the session.

On its part, bowing to the directions of the Speaker, Chaudhary Prem Singh, the Delhi Government has notified the Assembly Secretariat that it proposes to bring three legislations during the current session. Giving a clear indication that it was prepared for implementation of the VAT regime from April 1, 2005, the Delhi Government has decided to introduce the VAT legislation during the current session of Assembly and also get it passed in order to ensure its implementation along with other States. Last year the Government had expressed certain reservations on the implementation of VAT in Delhi citing that it would disturb the distributive character of Delhi and affect trade and business badly. However, taking a big leap towards progressive taxation, the government has now decided to go in for it. The Finance Minister, A.K. Walia, will introduce the VAT Bill in the Assembly.

On the other hand, the President of India has returned the Delhi Ancient and Historical Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Bill 2000 with certain suggested amendments. These amendments would be taken up for consideration by the House along with the passage of the Bill that has been hanging fire for the past four years. The Delhi Motor Vehicle Taxation (Amendment) Bill 2004, introduced in the last session, would be taken up for consideration and passage to implement the new road tax regime for Motor vehicles in the Capital.

Giving further information about the session here, Mr. Prem Singh said the Assembly Secretariat had received notices of Short Duration on various subjects under Rule 55. After consideration the Business Advisory Committee decided to admit notices with regard to increase in water tariff given by the Leader of the Opposition, Jagdish Mukhi, Sahib Singh Chauhan and Bheesham Sharma. It was also decided to admit a discussion with regard to implementation of professional tax by MCD notice for which was given by Sahib Singh Chauhan, Mohan Singh Bisht (BJP) and Bheesham Sharma (Cong). Interestingly the Nationalist Congress Party MLA, Ramvir Singh Bidhuri's notice has been admitted separately for discussion on the power situation in Delhi after privatisation and also with regard to functioning of DDA. The power situation has become a cause for concern during the last few months and the lack of grievances redressal of the consumers had added to the problem leading to heartburn among the people. Similarly, the DDA is likely to come under fire for going out and out commercial and not keeping its social obligation in mind.

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