Accord LoP status after changes in law: Delhi Speaker

Advocating for a strong Opposition in Parliament, Delhi Assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel today sought necessary changes in law so that the party with maximum number of MPs can be give the status of Leader of Opposition.
"Delhi Legislative Assembly has given the Leader of Opposition status to BJP where it won only 3 out of 70 seats," the Speaker said while addressing a session of 'Indian Youth Parliament' by Yuva Morcha.
"The BJP government is making an excuse about 10 per cent strength criteria in the act for Leader of Opposition status in Parliament for any party...The government should bring another amendment so that Opposition could have the status as Leader of Opposition," he opined.

The government had earlier rejected the Congress' demand for being accorded the status of Leader of Opposition, saying that it fell short of the minimum 55 seats required for staking claim to the post.
On hike of salaries and perks of MPs and MLAs by recommendations of a committee of respective assembly or Parliament, Goel said every MLA or MP is a government servant for five years, so why shouldn't their salaries be assessed and raised by a pay commission as is done for government employees.
He said there shall be an amendment in the existing act related to MPs and MLAs salary hike.

"I have set up an independent committee on this salary hike issue and a report would soon be available to Delhi Assembly," the speaker said.
"I will request Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take up this issue and form a pay commission kind of body to decide their wages and perks," he said.