 Bill 2023 was approved today by the Lok Sabha.){kind=link}
The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill 2023 was approved today by the Lok Sabha. The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act of 1991 is being modified by the proposed bill. It gives the Central Government the authority to enact regulations governing the affairs of the National Capital Territory of Delhi, including the duties, pay, and other terms and conditions of employment of officers and employees. The National Capital Civil Service Authority’s constitution also has a clause about it. The Delhi Chief Minister, Delhi’s Chief Secretary, and Delhi’s Principal Home Secretary make up the authority. The Authority will advise the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi on official transfers, postings, and disciplinary actions.In May of this year, the Center introduced an Ordinance in this regard.
Home Minister Amit Shah responded to the debate on the Bill by expressing his satisfaction that opposition members had finally joined in on the discussion in the House today. He emphasized that nine bills had already been passed during this session and said that the opposition parties simply participated in today’s debate in order to defend their recently formed coalition. He charged them of only caring about maintaining the coalition and disregarding issues that affect people. He asserted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will retake office despite this alliance of the Opposition. He emphasized that the Bill complies with all relevant constitutional provisions. He explained that the Supreme Court had ruled in its decision that the Central Government could pass legislation pertaining to Delhi. He emphasized that the Constitution clearly grants Parliament the authority to pass laws for the national Capital. He emphasized that while Congress and the BJP had previously held positions of power in Delhi, there was no desire to seize them. The goal of every administration that was established, he said, was to fulfill the needs of the people, so there were no conflicts.
Without specifically identifying the Aam Aadmi Party, he claimed that a party came to power in Delhi in 2015 with no intention of doing anything but fighting for the city’s residents. According to Mr. Shah, the problem is not obtaining the authority to carry out transfer postings but rather gaining control of the vigilance agency in order to cover up corruption in the National Capital.
The Government is prepared for a lengthy discussion on Manipur, the Home Minister added in another statement. Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury of the Congress opened the discussion by labeling the Bill as being against the nation’s central government. Additionally, he questioned the government’s haste in bringing a service-related Ordinance, asking why it was necessary. He also questioned the motivation behind the Bill’s introduction, claiming that similar efforts to undermine the authority of other governments will be made.
Kalyan Banerjee of TMC alleged that this legislation is an attack on the federal structure. He stressed that the States are not subservient to the Union. He said, the government should heed the mandate of the people as residents of Delhi must have a voice as to how they are governed. Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lallan Singh of JD(U) opposed the legislation and accused the Centre of trying to rule Delhi indirectly.
Ramesh Bidhuri of BJP said that several promises have been made by the Aam Aadmi Party in Delhi which are still unfulfilled. He alleged that AAP is involved in corrupt practices in Delhi. P. V. Midhun Reddy of YSRCP spoke in support of the Bill. He termed it as unique saying the Bill aims to restore certain power to LG.
BJD’s Pinaki Mishra supported the Bill saying Parliament has plenary jurisdiction to enact laws regarding Delhi. Supriya Sule of NCP opposed the Bill terming it undemocratic and unconstitutional. Shashi Tharoor of Congress, Meenakshi Lekhi of BJP, Harsimrat Kaur Badal of SAD, NK Premachandran of RSP were among those who participated in the debate.