Speaker announces solar expansion, political leadership programme

Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta, marking one year of his tenure on Tuesday, announced a slew of initiatives for the House, including expanding the solar power project by 300 KW, increasing green cover by 20 per cent, introducing a ‘Best MLA Award’ and launching a political leadership programme.

Gupta, a third-time MLA from Rohini, took oath as Delhi Assembly speaker on February 24 last year, following a massive victory of the BJP in the Assembly polls.

Addressing a press conference, he said, “As we complete one year in office, we are steering the Delhi Vidhan Sabha toward a new era of modernisation through a series of landmark initiatives that will redefine transparency and sustainable governance.” The speaker said that the existing 500 KW solar power capacity of the Assembly premises will be expanded further by 300 KW. He also expressed commitment to increase the green cover on the Assembly premises by 20 per cent.

The Assembly is also going to introduce a Best MLA Award, with detailed rules expected to be placed during the upcoming Budget, said an Assembly secretariat statement. A prestigious one-year political leadership programme to mentor future youth leaders is also in the pipeline, it said.

Gupta also presented an account of initiatives taken in the past year towards modernisation, transparency and people-centric governance at the Assembly.

The Assembly has become fully paperless through the implementation of the National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA). The Delhi Assembly has also become the first legislature in the country to operate entirely on solar energy, with the commissioning of a 500-kilowatt rooftop solar power project. The initiative has not only reduced carbon emissions but is also generating an estimated annual savings of Rs 1.75 crore, the statement said.

Implementation of an audit para management system (APMS) for real-time monitoring of CAG audits and action taken notes from departments, and a dedicated annual health check-up of MLAs, were other initiatives, added the statement.

Outlining future priorities, the Speaker announced plans to significantly expand solar energy capacity, introduce a diploma/certificate programme in political leadership for youth, and modernise the Assembly library with advanced technology, making it accessible to researchers and the general public alike. Gupta reaffirmed his commitment to making the Delhi Vidhan Sabha a global model of modern governance.