Amit Shah To Present Delhi Services Amendment Bill In Lok Sabha Tomorrow

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday will introduce The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023 in the Lok Sabha.

The Bill aims to replace the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Ordinance, 2023.

The Ordinance restricts the legislative powers of the Delhi Legislative Assembly concerning 'services', enhances the discretionary authority of the Lieutenant-Governor, and sets up the National Capital Civil Services Authority.

The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill has become a rallying point for a united opposition against the BJP-led NDA. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's AAP, which is a part of the opposition coalition INDIA, has reacted strongly against the ordinance. The Congress and other opposition parties have also come out against the ordinance.

As per the Lok Sabha's list of business for Tuesday, Minister of State for Home Affairs, Nityanand Rai, will present a statement elucidating the urgency behind enacting the National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Ordinance, 2023. The AAP has vehemently criticized the ordinance, labeling it as "illegal," "unconstitutional," and a "black law." In response to the ordinance, Delhi's Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal, has been rallying support across the country and has linked the AAP's entry into the National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (India) grouping to the Congress's stance on the matter.

Recent reports indicate that a contentious provision, aimed at overturning a Supreme Court ruling from May 11, which granted control of Delhi's administration to the elected government, has been excluded from the proposed changes. Instead, the revised proposal suggests altering the process of appointing tribunal heads in the Capital, granting some authority to the lieutenant governor, as opposed to the previous approach where the President of India served as the final signatory.

On May 19, an ordinance was issued, overturning a judgment by a Supreme Court constitution bench that had granted control of Delhi's bureaucracy to the elected government, except for matters related to policing, public order, and land.

The introduction of the ordinance exacerbated the ongoing dispute between Delhi's ruling AAP and the Union government-appointed lieutenant governor over control of the Capital.

Following that, on July 20, the Supreme Court referred the Delhi government's petition challenging the legality of the ordinance to a constitution bench comprising five judges. However, it's essential to note that the court's examination of the ordinance's legality does not impact the introduction or passage of the bill.