Delhi: The Delhi Assembly is considering amending Rule 280 of the Rules of Procedure will be reviewed and amended to align with the practices of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, in accordance with the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Act, 2021. Under Rule 280 (Raising of a matter which is not a point of order) the members of the house raise issues of their respective constituencies.
The last amendment to the Rules of Procedure was made in 2017. According to officials, Rule 280 is not defined properly, and the same was allegedly used for vested interest by the previous Government. These changes are parts of 100 days of the eighth session of the Assembly.
Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta on Monday announced that they are planning to make amendments to Rules Of Procedure and make them at par with the Parliament. “A draft is ready and the first meeting of the Rules Committee will be held on June 5. We will make our rules at par with the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha,” he added.
The review will also focus on simplifying legislative language and introducing gender-neutral terminology, reflecting the Assembly’s commitment to inclusivity, clarity and equality in its operations.
According to Gupta, best practices from the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha will be studied and incorporated to ensure effectiveness and alignment with national standards.
As far as power of the Delhi Assembly to make changes is concerned, the rule book says, “The power to regulate its own business is one of the most important privileges bestowed on the Legislatures in India by the Constitution. Article 118 in respect of the Parliament, Article 208 in respect of the State Legislature of the Constitution and Section 33 of The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act, 1991 in respect of the Delhi Assembly grants the powers to the Legislatures to frame their own Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business. The Legislature is the master of its own proceedings and it has the inherent right to conduct its business without interference from any outside body.”
Speaker Gupta also announced that a report of 100 days of the House will be released on June 6. “In an order commemorate the Assembly’s achievements in its first 100 days, a special report-card is being prepared to document the milestones, decisions, and reforms undertaken under the leadership of the Speaker. This publication will serve both as a historical record and a reaffirmation of the Assembly’s dedication to transparency, accountability, and reform-oriented governance,” he said
Notably, the Assembly has already conducted two full sessions-an unprecedented move compared to the earlier practice of holding just one session per year. In total, the House convened for 12 sittings and conducted business for 46 hours and 16 minutes, the longest legislative activity witnessed in the last 25 years. On several occasions, proceedings extended beyond regular hours, continuing until 7:00 PM. Importantly, the House is now being prorogued rather than adjourned sine die, indicating a shift toward a more structured and accountable legislative calendar.
In a significant policy decision, the Speaker Gupta has also approved the constitution of two new committees: the Committee on the Welfare of Senior Citizens and the Committee on the Welfare of Transgenders and Persons with Disabilities. These committees are aimed at strengthening the institutional framework for addressing the concerns of marginalized groups. The rules governing their structure and functioning will be placed before the Rules Committee for detailed review and recommendations. Best practices from the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha will be studied and incorporated to ensure effectiveness and alignment with national standards.
This building, which once housed India’s first Parliament, holds immense historical and symbolic value. The vision includes restoring the structure using traditional techniques, establishing a Legislative Museum, and hosting interactive exhibitions that narrate the democratic journey of Delhi and India. Additional features such as guided tours, information signage, and multimedia presentations will be developed to enhance the visitor experience.
