Lok Sabha clears NCT Bill that gives more power to L-G over Delhi

The Lok Sabha on Monday cleared the National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill that gives more power to the Lieutenant Governor (L-G) in the functioning of Delhi. The L-G is appointed by the President on the advice of the Centre. 

The Bill was introduced in Lok Sabha by the Centre last Monday.

According to it, ‘government’ mentioned in any law passed by Delhi’s Assembly would mean the L-G. The elected government would also need to take the L-G’s advice on executive action. Also, the L-G can specify the issues on which his/her advise should be sought.

Delhi’s elected government will be prohibited from making rules to empower it or any committee to take up matters of day-to-day administration. It’ll also not be able to conduct inquiries into decisions related to administration.

The Bill was passed on Monday amidst strong opposition from the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). The former termed it as “unconstitutional.”

Also read: Explained: Why Arvind Kejriwal, AAP are upset over Centre’s bill on Delhi tabled in Lok Sabha

Delhi’s ruling-AAP government, led by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has opposed, with the CM going to the extent of saying that the AAP dispensation was ready to fall at the Modi government’s feet for Bill’s withdrawal, reported PTI.

After the Bill was passed in the Lok Sabha, Kejriwal termed it 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,” he tweeted, adding that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had “cheated” the people.

Union Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy said the Bill had become necessary as there had been ambiguity in certain issues related to the functioning of the Delhi government and several cases were also filed in courts.