As the Lok Sabha on Thursday gave its nod to a Bill that gives the Lieutenant-Governor (L-G) of Delhi control over Group A services, Union Minister Amit Shah said the Opposition parties belonging to the Indian National Developmental, Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) came together to oppose the Bill for the sake of their alliance and not for “democracy, the country or its people.
The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023 was passed by voice vote amid an Opposition walkout.
Today the country is witnessing the dual face of Opposition. For them, the Bills for public welfare are not necessary. To ensure a small party does not leave their alliance, they have joined forces,” Mr. Shah said, referring to the nine Bills that were passed without discussion because of Opposition protests.
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What is the Delhi Services Bill?
The Delhi Services Bill, formally known as the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill 2023, is a controversial piece of legislation that has been the subject of much debate in India.
The bill seeks to amend the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act, 1991, in order to give the central government more control over the appointment, transfer, and disciplinary matters of civil servants in Delhi.
The bill has been criticized by the Delhi government, which argues that it would undermine the city’s autonomy and make it difficult for the government to function effectively. The bill has also been criticized by legal experts, who argue that it is unconstitutional.
The Delhi Services Bill is a complex piece of legislation, but its main provisions can be summarized as follows:
- The bill would create a new National Capital Civil Service Authority (NCCSA), which would be responsible for the appointment, transfer, and disciplinary matters of civil servants in Delhi.
- The NCCSA would be headed by the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, and would have a majority of members appointed by the central government.
- The bill would also give the central government the power to veto any appointments made by the NCCSA.
Why is the Delhi Services Bill controversial?
The Delhi Services Bill is controversial for a number of reasons.
First, the bill would give the central government a significant amount of control over the appointment, transfer, and disciplinary matters of civil servants in Delhi. This would effectively undermine the city’s autonomy and make it difficult for the Delhi government to function effectively.
Second, the bill has been criticized by legal experts, who argue that it is unconstitutional. The Constitution of India gives the Delhi government “power to make laws with respect to all matters in the State List and the Concurrent List”.
However, the Delhi Services Bill would give the central government the power to veto any appointments made by the NCCSA, which would effectively give the central government control over matters that are currently within the purview of the Delhi government.
What are the implications of the Delhi Services Bill?
The implications of the Delhi Services Bill are significant. If the bill is passed, it would effectively give the central government a veto over the functioning of the Delhi government. This would make it difficult for the Delhi government to implement its policies and programs, and could lead to a significant decline in the quality of governance in Delhi.
The bill has also been criticized for its potential to undermine the federal structure of India. The Constitution of India gives the states a significant degree of autonomy, and the Delhi Services Bill would effectively erode this autonomy.
This could have a negative impact on the balance of power between the central government and the states, and could lead to a more centralized form of government in India.
What is the future of the Delhi Services Bill?
The future of the Delhi Services Bill is uncertain. The bill has been passed by the Lok Sabha, but it still needs to be passed by the Rajya Sabha.
It is possible that the bill will be amended or even defeated in the Rajya Sabha. However, if the bill is passed by the Rajya Sabha, it will become law and will have a significant impact on the governance of Delhi.
Explained : What is Delhi Services Bill?
The Delhi Services Bill is a controversial piece of legislation that seeks to give the central government more control over the appointment, transfer, and disciplinary matters of civil servants in Delhi. The key provisions are:
- It creates a new body called the National Capital Civil Service Authority (NCCSA) to handle these matters. The NCCSA will be headed by the Delhi Lieutenant Governor and have a majority of centrally appointed members.
- It gives the central government veto power over appointments made by the NCCSA.
- This effectively takes away autonomy from the elected Delhi government in administrative matters related to civil servants who work for them.
The bill has been criticized as unconstitutional by legal experts because it encroaches on the powers of the Delhi government.
It is seen as an attempt by the central government to control the functioning of the Delhi government.
The implications are that it will undermine Delhi’s autonomy, make governance inefficient, and negatively impact the federal structure by centralizing power. The future of the bill remains uncertain as it still needs to pass the Rajya Sabha where the ruling party does not have a majority.
