New Delhi:
A delegation of Delhi Congress today met Lt Governor Najeeb Jung and discussed with him passage of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government's Bill passed in Assembly clearing the way for "massive" hike in salaries and allowances of legislators and ministers.
Emerging after the meeting, Delhi Congress chief Ajay Maken alleged that the AAP government committed an "illegality" in passing the Bill without a consent of the President of India.
"The AAP Government, in order to benefit its own MLAs, has committed an illegality by passing the Bill without the consent of the President. The Bill should have been passed only after the approval of the President," Mr Maken said.
The delegation sought to know from the Lt Governor whether prior approval of the President of India was taken for the introduction of the Bill in the Assembly by the AAP Government, he said.
"Jung informed the delegation that only permission was sought by the AAP Government to seek the approval of the President on the Bill, and not the introduction of the Bill in the Assembly," Mr Maken said.
The "massive" hike in the salaries of the lawmakers proves that the AAP does not stand to protect the interest of the Aam Aadmi - which it is supposed to represent-but is only keen to enjoy the fruits of power by casting away its 'aam aadmi' garb, and "fostering" a "VVIP culture", he said.
Chattar Singh and Satbir Singh were other members of the delegation.
The Members of the Legislative Assembly of the Government of NCT of Delhi (Salaries, Allowances, Pension) Amendment Bill,2015, was yesterday passed in the Delhi Assembly dominated by AAP legislators while two BJP MLAs boycotted voting on it.