The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill was passed by the Rajya Sabha in New Delhi on August 7, four days after the Lok Sabha had given its approval. According to the Center, the Bill aims to “maintain democratic and administrative balance in the governance” of Delhi’s national capital.
With 131 members voting in favor and 102 members voting against it, the bill was approved. Along with NDA voters, the Bill also received support from BJD and YSRCP members.
The House reportedly voted against the opposition’s amendments and a request to refer the matter to a Rajya Sabha select committee. A probe into the allegations made by a few MPs that their names were included in the proposed select committee without their knowledge was also requested by Deputy Chairman Harivansh, who oversaw the voting.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah responded to the discussion of the bill by stating that it is intended to provide pro-people, free of corruption government in Delhi. He added that as Delhi is a Union Territory under the Constitution, it cannot be governed like a State.
“We have not changed anything in the previous Bill brought by the Congress regime,” he said. Former Chief Ministers didn’t have any problems with the Center. He stated that they desired growth and that chaos is being attempted to spread over Delhi.
“A government which was formed after a movement in 2015 says that the Centre wants to usurp power. We do not want usurp power. People have given us power. This Bill is to block the State government from interfering in the Centre’s powers,” Mr. Shah said, adding that from 1991 to 2015, there was a system on administration in Delhi and the Narendra Modi government had not changed anything. “The present Delhi government tried to change this system and this Bill is to nullify those attempts,” he said.
Mr. Shah noted that the Center has the authority to establish laws for all Union Territories in response to the opposition’s arguments. “Services will therefore be included in this.” He noted that the Congress was opposed to the Act that was made by it to satisfy the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and that Parliament has the authority to alter and void Acts approved by the Assembly.
He claimed that the Congress, not the BJP, is the AAP’s true target. He asserted that it was evident from their electoral record.
Might wanna know: Implications of the law
Additionally, he refuted claims that the Bill disregards a Supreme Court ruling.
“This Bill is to protect the rights of the people of Delhi, and that is why the Bill was hurried,” he claimed. He claimed that in order to destroy documents pertaining to the liquor scandal, the Delhi government removed the Vigilance chief and instructed officers to report to the Minister.
But, Arvind Kejriwal, the chief minister of Delhi, declared it to be a “black day” for Indian democracy after the bill was approved by the Rajya Sabha. He added that the “law will not let the elected government of Delhi work.” He further stated that it was a “insult” to Delhi residents’ freedom to vote.
Arvind Kejriwal, the mayor of Delhi, further stated, “PM Modi disobeys the Supreme Court’s order. The public had made it plain that they did not want the Center to interfere in Delhi by defeating them, but the PM does not want to take their advice.
Arvind Kejriwal, the mayor of Delhi, further stated, “PM Modi disobeys the Supreme Court’s order. The public had made it plain that they did not want the Center to interfere in Delhi by defeating them, but the PM does not want to take their advice. Rajya Sabha Rajya Sabha Rajya Sabha Rajya Sabha Rajya Sabha
