President Droupadi Murmu approved The Delhi Services Act or formerly known as the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Bill officially making it a law.
The Rajya Sabha's passing of the Delhi Ordinance Bill, which is now an act and will give the Centre control over the activities of the national capital, including official appointments, inflicted a serious blow to Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
On August 3, the bill had previously been approved in the Lok Sabha, where the BJP holds a majority.
According to the Delhi Services Bill, the national capital's authorities will be subject to Centre-controlled inquiries and suspensions. The National Capital Civil Services Authority's recommendations as well as the prorogation, summoning, and dissolution of the Delhi Legislative Assembly shall all be subject to the Lieutenant Governor's exclusive discretion.
The Delhi Chief Secretary, Delhi's Principal Home Secretary, and Delhi's Chief Minister will all be members of the National Capital Civil Services Authority.
It would replace the existing ordinance that breaches a Supreme Court ruling and provides the Delhi government the most power over a wide range of services.
When answering to the debate on the bill, Indian Home Minister Amit Shah said clearly that the power to pass laws on Union territories rests with the central government, and that as Delhi is a Union territory, the Centre has complete authority to pass laws for it as well.
“This ordinance refers to the order of the Supreme Court which says parliament has the right to make laws on any issue related to the National Capital Territory of Delhi. There are provisions in the Constitution that allow the center to make laws for Delhi,” he said.
The Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023 was passed following a nearly four-hour-long debate in the Lok Sabha.
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