Lok Sabha clears bill which gives Delhi L-G more power

Under the bill, the Delhi government will have to compulsorily seek the Lieutenant Governor’s approval before taking any executive action. The bill also says that the government in the national capital would refer to the Lieutenant Governor in context of any law to be made by the legislative assembly.

The Lok Sabha on Monday cleared the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2021, which seeks to give more powers to the Lieutenant Governor in matters related to national capital’s governance. The bill was introduced by the central government in the Lower House of Parliament on March 15.

The bill was introduced by the central government in the Lower House of Parliament on March 15. (Sanchit Khanna/HT file photo)

Under the bill, the Delhi government will have to compulsorily seek the Lieutenant Governor’s approval before taking any executive action. The bill also says that the government in the national capital would refer to the Lieutenant Governor in context of any law to be made by the legislative assembly.

Chief minister and AAP’s national convenor Arvind Kejriwal reacted sharply to the passing of this legislation and labelled it as an insult to Delhi’s people. Taking it to Twitter, he wrote, “The Bill effectively takes away powers from those who were voted by people & gives powers to run Delhi to those who were defeated. BJP has cheated the people.”

Kejriwal had earlier too accused the BJP-led central government of seeking to drastically reduce the powers of the Delhi government by this bill. Echoing his concern, the opposition party Congress also criticised the bill. Delhi Congress president Anil Kumar said on March 16 that the Delhi government’s role will come down to a “mere puppet” at the hands of the L-G.

Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief and West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee had also joined the pack of leaders opposing the NCT bill. In a letter addressed to her Delhi counterpart on March 18, Banerjee expressed her full support to Kejriwal over the opposition of the bill and stated that the Centre’s move “devious, anti-democratic and anti-constitution “

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has supported the bill by saying that it would ensure better coordination between the Centre and Delhi. Delhi BJP president Adesh Gupta said last week the bill eliminates existing ambiguities and will ensure speedy development in the Capital. “The bill is aimed at promoting harmonious relations between the legislature and the executive. It clearly defines the responsibilities of the elected government and the Lt governor,” Gupta told news agency PTI.