What is the Delhi Ordinance Bill Passed By Rajya Sabha?
The Delhi Ordinance Bill 2023 enhances Central control over Delhi's bureaucracy, sparking opposition from AAP; meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi's status change draws attention.
India has 28 States and 8 Union Territories. States have State governments and CM while UTs have a lieutenant governor. However, Delhi operates differently from the others as it is given partial statehood and it is redefined as the National Capital Territory (NCT). Hence it has a CM, state assembly and even a lieutenant governor. The Delhi ordinance bill or the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023, was cleared by the Lok Sabha by voice vote on 3rd August 2023 after a fierce debate between the opposition and the government. Union Home Minister Amit Shah then moved the bill for consideration and passing in the Rajya Sabha. The bill was passed by the Rajya Sabha late on 7th August as 131 MPs voted in its favor, while 102 voted against it. It now needs President Droupadi Murmu's assent to become an act.
What is this Delhi Ordinance Bill? The bill reportedly aims to give the Centre more control over the bureaucracy (officers), including administrative services, transfers and posting of officers, in the national capital. Moreover, the bill also proposes to constitute the National Capital Civil Services Authority, comprising the Delhi chief minister (chairperson), principal home secretary (member secretary), and chief secretary (member). The statutory body will reportedly only send recommendations regarding the postings/transfers of officials and disciplinary issues to Delhi's lieutenant governor (L-G). The L-G will be the final decision-maker. Notably, the L-G is appointed by the Centre. Hence, this is being seen as a major blow to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)'s Delhi government. This came after neutral parties—like the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP)—extended support to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s central government - The National Democratic Alliance. The opposition bloc Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA)—which includes the AAP—has termed the bill "unconstitutional". After the bill was passed, AAP MP Raghav Chaddha said that the party will fight against the bill in the judiciary. Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal said it was a ‘black day’ for India's democracy and said that the "law will not let the elected government of Delhi work. It was an "insult" to the right to vote of the people of Delhi.” He added, "PM Modi does not obey the Supreme Court's order. The public had clearly said that the Centre should not interfere in Delhi by defeating them, but the PM does not want to listen to the public." Kejriwal posted on X (formerly Twitter),"BJP has promised time and again to grant full statehood to Delhi. In 2014, Modiji had said he will accord complete statehood to Delhi on becoming prime minister. Today, these people stabbed Delhi in the back. Don't trust Modi's words in the future". “Today, I heard Amit Shah ji''s Lok Sabha speech on the bill. He does not have a single valid argument to support the bill. He is just talking nonsense; even he knows what he is doing is wrong.” Shah hit out at the Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party for opposing the ordinance and said that AAP was objecting as it wanted to control the vigilance and hide the ‘truth’ behind the renovation of Arvind Kejriwal's official residence. He added that services have always been with the Central government. From 1993 to 2015 no Chief Minister fought. There were no fights because whichever government was formed their aim was to serve the people. There is no need to fight, if there is a need to serve. But if they want power they will fight. We will have to wait and see if the President signs it or not. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi vacated his 12, Tughlaq Lane bungalow in April and shifted to his mother Sonia Gandhis’ residence in Delhi following his disqualification from Lok Sabha. Rahul was disqualified as a member of the lower house on March 24 after the metropolitan court in Surat sentenced him to two years in jail in a criminal defamation case involving a remark on ‘Modi’ surname.
ISH News had covered this. For all the information please watch the previous video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWcyPtZgC4w
He was reinstated as MP by the Lok Sabha secretariat on 7 August 2023, days after the Supreme Court stayed his conviction in the defamation case. Gandhi, however, is yet to decide on taking the bungalow and has eight days to respond to it.
