Can’t give voter cards to all before polls: Govt
The Delhi government admitted that the work for preparing a new photo electoral roll might not be finished before the assembly polls.
The Delhi government on Friday admitted that the work for preparing a new photo electoral roll might not be finished before the assembly polls.
Delhi election minister Mangat Ram Singhal said only 81 per cent work was likely to be completed before the city goes to the elections.
Friday was the last day of the final assembly session for the Sheila Dikshit-led government, before the city goes to elections in December.
"Yes, there is a delay and it is estimated that we will be able to prepare only 81 per cent of the total photo ID cards by next month,” Singhal said.
Singhal was responding to a query raised by Bharatiya Janata Party MLAs.
Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit said the government was aware of the problems in the draft photo electoral roll and asked member of the House to route their suggestions through Singhal.
Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit reiterated her offer to approach Chief Election Commissioner along with the leader of opposition Jagdish Mukhi about the discrepancies in draft photo electoral roll.
“This is problem that affects all Delhiites and cuts across party lines,” said Dikshit.
In a dramatic development, BJP MLA Dayanand Chandelia announced his resignation from the party as well as the House.
“There was a time when Vajpayee could call Indira Gandhi Durga in praise of her role in the Bangaldesh war, but people have been baying for my blood since I appreciated the work done by a Congress minister,” said Chandelia.
Political insiders, however, say this is another example of political expedience and Chandelia is set to join the Congress.
Political fracas apart, all the MLAs concurred on a resolution to improve their pension package. Some even went further to suggest that the allowances of existing MLAs should also be raised.
“We have decided in principle to provide medical facilities to former MLAs and Metropolitan councilors. We also have agreed to provide them a travel allowance and extend medical facilities to their spouses. We have not decided on an amount yet,” Delhi Finance Minister A.K. Walia told HT later.