Haven't Delhi MLAs forgotten something?

Building collapse issue allegedly not on agenda as Assembly session begins today

The dust has not yet settled as far as the building collapse issue in Lalita Park is concerned. But it seems, Delhi's MLAs have already moved on.



The Business Advisory Committee of the Assembly has finalised the agenda for the Winter Session, beginning today, which includes short duration discussion on issues such as the traffic problem, Commonwealth Games preparations, problems in unauthorised colonies etc. But the catastrophe that led to the death of 70 people and destruction of many families, doesn't figure anywhere on the list.

"By and large, we had received 64 notices for short duration discussion for the session and out of them we have selected five issues for short discussion discussion," said Speaker Yoganand Shastri, who also presides over BAC.

However, senior BJP leaser Harsvardhan said, in the bargaining between ruling party and BJP members in BAC, the issue must have got neglected.

"It is very unfortunate. I hope the issue will be brought to the House through other mechanism," he said. When asked why the principal opposition party did not insist on a discussion on the collapse, Delhi BJP chief Vijendra Gupta only said the party's main focus will be on corruption in the Commonwealth Games preparations.

"The session will only have six sittings and we have plenty of issues to discuss. Certainly the building collapse is an important issue but our focus will be on corruption," he said. Over 60 families, mostly labourers from West Bengal, were living in the cramped quarters of the 15-year-old building where two floors were constructed illegally.

Following the incident, Delhi Government had blamed BJP-ruled MCD for the incident while MCD had pointed fingers at the government.

Shastri said the House will pay homage to the victims of the incident and added that the issue may be raised under Rule 280 that entitles members of the House to raise the matter of "urgent public interest".