Key Points:
- The Aam Aadmi Party that is currently ruling Delhi that said that the legislation is “unconstitutional” after the NCT Bill was passed.
- Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has called the amendment “an insult” to Delhi’s people.
- According to the Bill, the Delhi government must obtain the opinion of the Lieutenant Governor before implementing any policy decision.
The Lok Sabha saw a rage in its Lower House after passing the National Capital Territory Bill on Monday. It passed the National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2021, which seeks to give more powers to the Delhi Lieutenant Governor.
Amidst the strong opposition of the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party that is currently ruling Delhi that said that the legislation is “unconstitutional”, the NCT Bill was passed in the Lower House.
What is the NCT Bill?
- According to the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2021, the “government” in the city would mean the “Lieutenant Governor” in the context of any law to be made by the legislative assembly.
- According to the Bill, the Delhi government must obtain the opinion of the Lieutenant Governor before implementing any policy decision.
- The Bill also states that the legislative assembly shall not make any rule to allow itself or its committees to consider the matters of the day-to-day administration of the national capital or conduct inquiries in relation to the administrative decisions.
Arvind Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party has protested against the Bill since its inception. The Congress party has also opposed the proposed move.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has called the amendment “an insult” to Delhi’s people. Kejriwal accused the Centre of “curtailing the powers” of the elected Delhi government through the Bill.
Passage of GNCTD amendment Bill in Lok Sabha today is an insult to the people of Delhi. The Bill effectively takes away powers from those who were voted by people and gives powers to run Delhi to those who were defeated. BJP has cheated the people
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) March 22, 2021
“The Centre has brought in a law that says ‘Delhi government means Lieutenant Governor’. If this happens, where will the CM go? Do elections, votes do not mean anything? It is a fraud with the people,” Kejriwal said last week.
The ‘status of LG of Delhi is not that of a governor… rather he remains an administrator in a limited sense’, the Supreme Court had, on July 4, 2018.
“Please do not say that it is a political bill. It is being brought to end ambiguity in certain issues as Delhi is a Union Territory. It will end certain confusion on technicality and enhance the efficiency of the administration,” Union Minister of State for Home G. Kishan Reddy said justifying the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2021 terming the move as a Necessity.
