Terming it a “populist measure” and “not a foolproof Bill”, Leader of Opposition in the Delhi Legislative Assembly, Vijender Gupta, on Tuesday picked holes in the ‘Regularisation of Services of Guest Teachers and Teachers engaged under the ‘Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan’ Bill, 2017’ on the eve of a one-day Assembly Session where it is scheduled to be tabled.
‘Sensitive issue’
The Bill to be introduced in the Assembly for the regularisation of services of guest teachers and teachers engaged under the “Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan” was “nothing but the Aam Aadmi Party’s sheer populist measure”, Mr. Gupta alleged.
“It is not a serious Bill on a sensitive issue involving the fate of 17,000 teachers. A more responsible, in-depth legal and constitutional framework was expected for introduction of the Bill in the august House,” he said while expressing “astonishment” that it does not contain the usual step-by-step logical explanation supported by the three most crucial stakeholders in the issue, the departments of education, finance and law.
The Rohini legislator said he wondered how the “lame Bill” will stand the scrutiny of higher authorities such as the Lieutenant-Governor, the Centre and the President. He demanded to know why no advance approval had been obtained from the said authorities before deciding to table it.
Meanwhile, the Mr. Gupta said the Opposition would seek adjournment and call attention motions on important issues. He also demanded that the Delhi government apprise the Assembly of the message of the L-G regarding Department Related Standing Committees.
‘Failure of govt’
“It is important to bring it to the notice of the House. It is understood that the L-G has conveyed to the Centre that these committees have been given unconstitutional powers, which must be withdrawn. The Opposition would bring adjournment motion under Section 59 of the Delhi Assembly rules on two important issues,” he said.
These, according to the Mr. Gupta, consisted of the alleged “failure of the government to implement the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill, 2016,” despite the Supreme Court ruling. He also brought up the issue of the “acute shortage of manpower and inadequate laboratory facilities” in the Food Safety Department leading to a public health hazard.
