Mohalla clinics, issue of giving weight to guest teachers in recruitment rock House

Ananya Panda

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 10

Issues of pending mohalla clinics' expansion and giving weight to guest teachers in recruitment in government schools pitted the AAP and Opposition BJP legislators against each other in the Delhi Assembly on Thursday.

What tensed the atmosphere was the spat between the ruling benches and Opposition leaders prompting Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and Health Minister Satyendra Jain to accuse the BJP-led Centre of “obstructing” the Delhi Government’s crucial projects.

Assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel pulled up Rajouri Garden MLA Manjinder Singh Sirsa for repeatedly interjecting Sisodia while he was throwing barbs at the Opposition for attacking the AAP government over the delay in regularisation of guest teachers.

“Our government is working and we are not indulging in eve-teasing and harassing girls on streets (in a veiled reference to the Chandigarh stalking case embroiling Haryana BJP president Subhash Barala’s son),” Sisodia said in the House.

Besides, the Shiromani Akali Dal leader, Leader of Opposition Vijender Gupta alleged that the Kejriwal government is not serious in filling the vacancies of guest teachers in government schools and just blaming the Lt Governor.

Gupta questioned the August 7 advertisement issued by Delhi Subordinate Selection Board for 9138 vacancies of government school teachers, pointing out that around 17,858 guest teachers are left in the lurch as not only have they been disadvantaged by not considering their experience in new appointments but they are now expected to clear exam with young applicants.

“You (AAP government) had promised to regularise 17,858 teachers and do you think these teachers will fall under your formula. Teachers who were not allowed to take exams due to age will approach the court. The government must find out ways to absorb guest teachers,” said Gupta while asking the government to regularise guest teachers.

Referring to the recent advertisement of teachers’ appointment in government schools, Sisodia told the House, “In the new recruitment notice provision of age relaxation is there but we had also asked for giving weight to the experience of guest teachers that was rejected. We had sent the cabinet’s proposal on August 6, 2015. On March 30, 2016, the file was sent back with objection on weight in the light of Uma Devi judgement.”

Mohalla clinic proposal rocks the Assembly

The other issue that rocked the Assembly today was the pet project of the ruling party—mohalla clinics.

Both the AAP and the BJP sparred over the issue with Health Minister Satyendra Jain telling the House the file is stuck with the LG and Speaker Ram Niwas Goel going on to suggest to LoP Vijender Gupta that a five-member delegation comprising BJP and AAP legislators can meet the LG and request him to approve.

While ruling party legislators Rajesh Gupta and Ritu Raj expressed their anger on the need for the LG’s approval on setting up mohalla clinics, Rajouri Garden MLA Sirsa and Gupta criticised the AAP government over the issue.

Order on adulteration soon: Satyendra Jain

AAP legislator Jarnail Singh raised concerns over alleged adulteration in food served by many hotels and restaurants in the city. After the Speaker said a helpline service no (1800113921) should be displayed on the premises of every hotel and restaurant and in response, Jain said an order will be issued in this regard in every restaurant and hotels.

1984 anti-Sikh riots issue raised in the House

Raising the issue of delayed justice to 1984 anti-Sikh riots victims, AAP MLA Jagdeep Singh urged the Centre to expedite the SIT probe as even after 33 years, justice still eludes.