FDI rocks House session on MCD split

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Greenpeace activists protest outside the coal ministry in New Delhi on Wednesday against coal mining to save forests. — PTI

The special session of Delhi Assembly called to pass the bill for trifurcation of MCD started on a stormy note on Wednesday and was hit by the Opposition’s demand for not implementing FDI in the retail sector in Delhi.
As soon as the House began its proceedings, all Opposition MLAs trooped into the Well of the House, seeking special discussion on the issue. When Speaker Dr Yoganand Shastri rejected their demand, the BJP MLAs shouted slogans, accusing the city government of ignoring the welfare of small traders in the city and would put them at peril. The House was adjourned for 20 minutes but pandemonium continued for the second time.
When the House assembled after the second adjournment, urban development minister Raj Kumar Chauhan tabled the bill seeking trifurcation of the MCD.
Mr Chauhan said division of the MCD was felt necessary to improve civic services as slogan shouting BJP MLAs demanded a discussion on the issue of FDI in retail and power tariff hike.
With opposition MLAs not relenting, the House was adjourned for the day.
Earlier as soon as the House assembled, Leader of the Opposition V.K. Malhotra demanded taking up a discussion on FDI in retail and hike in power tariff, drawing strong reaction from the treasury bench.
“We demand a discussion on FDI as well as a statement from chief minister Sheila Dikshit that the FDI in retail will not be allowed in Delhi,” he said.
The home ministry had last week approved a proposal of Delhi government to trifurcate MCD ahead of civic polls in April next year. After approval by the Assembly, the bill will be sent to President Pratibha Patil for her assent.
Later, Ms Dikshit slammed the BJP for not allowing the House to function but exuded confidence that the bill would be passed on Thursday.
“We want a discussion on the bill. But if they (BJP) do not want to participate in the discussion, then it is okay. We are confident of passage of the Bill tomorrow,” she said.
“The BJP has supported the trifurcation in their manifesto in last elections. We will pass the trifurcation of MCD bill. The FDI is applied by the Central government. We welcome FDI in Delhi because it will promote the farmers of nearby areas,” Ms Dikshit said after the Assembly.