NEW DELHI: The AAP government in a cabinet meeting on Monday approved the Delhi School Education (amendment) Bill to give the state an active role in the nursery admission process. The draft law will no longer allow schools to dominate the process on their own terms. The state has taken this step undeterred by the flak over the uncertainty of a Jan Lokpal Bill or amendments to the existing Lokayukta Act making it to the winter session of the Delhi assembly.

In another major development, the cabinet also cleared the Delhi Schools Verification of Accounts & Refund of Excess Fee Bill. Aimed at rationalisation of school fee, the Bill will now be placed in the House in the winter session that starts on November 18.

Another major amendment proposed by the department of education and under the scrutiny of the government is the `no-detention policy', which is now applicable till Class VIII under Right to Education Act. This is likely to make it to the cabinet soon.

Sources said the proposed amendment to Delhi School Education Act, 1973 on entry level admissions gives the government more powers to decide "broad guidelines and the criteria for admission" and make the process more transparent. "The government will ensure there is no screening," said a source.

The winter session will also see the government make a pitch to empower sub-divisional magistrates and district magistrates. The cabinet has cleared the CrPC (amendment) Bill to empower magistrates to probe cases beyond the findings of Delhi Police in cases like unnatural death. "Normally , once the police gives a report it is taken as final and the matter is closed.The amendments seek to empower DMs to use their discretion and evidence to continue with a probe if not satisfied with the status report filed by the police," sources said.

As part of governance revamp, the cabinet has given a go-ahead to significant changes in Delhi (Right of Citizen to Time Bound Delivery of Services) Act, 2011. This seeks to make implementation of the Citizen's Charter real and ensure "automatic and mandatory" compensation to people denied timely service. The onus for any delay beyond stipulated timelines now lies with the officer who will have to pay for the delay from his salary .

Meanwhile, under criticism from both BJP and Congress for its failure to deliver a Jan Lokpal so far, the AAP government is contemplating giving more teeth to the office of Lokayukta by amending Delhi Lokayukta Act. The Bill may be discussed in the cabinet for placing it in the winter session. However, a section of AAP MLAs and party functionaries feel there should be special session to discuss and make way for the Jan Lokpal Bill.

The upcoming assembly session is also likely to witness a stormy debate on the working of the municipal corporations and the impact of trifurcation. AAP MLAs are exploring the possibility of bringing a resolution seeking dissolution of the civic agencies and have immediate fresh elections, sources said.

It is learnt that the House may discuss the issue of intolerance, unauthorised colonies and working of DDA with which several MLAs complained of having problems.