BJP to raise B/l, power and water issues in Del Assy Winter sessio

New Delhi, Dec 21 (UNI) Determined to put the Sheila Dikshit Government on the mat, the opposition BJP will raise in the short Winter session of the state Legislative assembly beginning Wednesday issues like the Blueline menace and paucity of water and power faced by the people of the ever-expanding city.

Addressing a press conference here, leader of opposition Jagdish Mukhi, expressing his party's displeasure over the three day duration of the Winter session which he termed the smallest Winter session in the last 14 years, said, ''we had written to Assembly Speaker Prem Singh demanding that the Winter session should have ten sittings at least. However, the demand was not acceded to.

As per norms, state legislatures like Delhi should have at least 60 sittings a year. As against this, the Delhi Legislative Assembly has had barely 20 sittings a year over the nine years of the rule of the Sheila Dikshit Government,'' he added.

Alleging that the move to hold short sessions stemmed from the Sheila Dikshit Government's reluctance to face the opposition, Dr Mukhi, who jointly addressed the press meet along with Deputy Leader of the Opposition S P Ratawal and BJP Chief Whip in the House Sahab Singh Chauhan, said,''the Government is suppressing the voice of the Delhiites and does not want grievances of people to be raised in the House. It also shows that the Government is unable to defend itself from the attacks of the opposition.'' Neverthless, he said the opposition BJP would try to ensure a discussion in the House on important issues like the Blueline menace and shortage of water and power.

Dr Mukhi said one of the issues that the BJP would raise strongly in the House was the ongoing terror of Blueline buses prevailing in the capital.

''The uncontrolled Blueline and DTC buses have killed more than 200 persons during the last one year. Yet the Government seems to be sitting blindfolded,''he said.

The BJP would also raise vociferously in the House the issue of woes arising out of the privatisation of power.

''After five and a half years of privatisation in Delhi, there is still unscheduled load shedding in many parts of the city. On the other hand, the Discoms, who are getting electricity at the rate of Rs 3.50 per unit are selling the same to neighbouring states of Rajasthan and Mumbai at the rate fo Rs 6.50 per unit. The BJP will raise this issue with full voice inside and outside the House,''Dr Mukhi said.

Another issue that the BJP planned to raise in the House was the shortage of potable water in Delhi despite the commissioning of the Sonia Vihar water treatment plant.

''As on today, 50 per cent population of Delhi is not getting potable water. In some parts of Delhi, people are getting water for a few minutes only, and in most of the areas, Delhiites are getting polluted water,'' Mr S P Ratawal said.

Besides the above issues, the BJP will also take up in the House issues like a rise in crime rate, price rise of essential commodities, corruption and liberalisation of the liquor policy.

UNI