Delhi Services Bill: Rajya Sabha Passes With 131 Votes In Favour, 102 Against

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal faced a setback as the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023, also known as the Delhi services bill, was approved in the Rajya Sabha on Monday, August 7.

The bill secured 131 votes in favor and 101 votes against. This bill, a point of contention between the Aam Aadmi Party and the Centre, had already passed in the Lok Sabha on August 3.

Voting was conducted using division slips following the Opposition's request for a vote division on the Delhi services bill.

Introduced in the Upper House by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the bill seeks to replace an ordinance governing officials' transfers and postings within the Delhi government.

Amit Shah defended the bill in the Rajya Sabha, stating that it aims to ensure efficient and corruption-free governance in the capital city.

However, the Opposition INDIA bloc had staunchly criticized the proposed legislation, branding it as unconstitutional, undemocratic, and contrary to the principles of federalism.

The ordinance was introduced shortly after the Supreme Court vested executive powers in service matters to the Delhi government.

AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal embarked on a nationwide tour to garner support against the Centre's ordinance.

Major opposition parties, including the Trinamool Congress, Samajwadi Party, Janata Dal United, Congress, Bharath Rashtriya Samiti (BRS), Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), and others, aligned to support AAP in its fight against the ordinance.