Delhi can have its own public service commission, says AAP

The Aam Aadmi Party on Wednesday shot down the opposition’s contention that Delhi cannot have its separate public service commission. The party said the legislative assembly had the powers to enact law on any matter in the state list except land, public order and police.

The Aam Aadmi Party on Wednesday shot down the opposition’s contention that Delhi cannot have its separate public service commission. The party said the legislative assembly had the powers to enact law on any matter in the state list except land, public order and police.

AAP’s chief spokesperson Saurabh Bharadwaj (pictured) said the opposition had deliberately created a wrong impression that since Delhi is a Union Territory, it cannot create nor have its own public service commission. (Saumya Khandelwal/HT File)

AAP’s chief spokesperson Saurabh Bharadwaj said the opposition had deliberately created a wrong impression that since Delhi is a Union Territory, it cannot create nor have its own public service commission.

“It seems that they are either not aware of the July 4 judgment by the constitution bench of the Supreme Court, or their understanding of constitutional law of this country is extremely poor,” said Bharadwaj.

On Monday, the first day of the monsoon session of the assembly, the house passed a resolution to constitute a ‘public service commission for Delhi’, which would empower the Delhi government to recruit officers for the vacant posts in various departments.

The AAP legislators demanded the creation of the commission citing “repeated refusal” of bureaucrats to cooperate with the executive. This resolution was, however, criticised by the opposition as a “gimmick” to hide the government’s failure.

Leader of opposition Vijender Gupta had said “Delhi is a Union Territory and constitutionally it cannot have its own public service commission”.

Citing provisions under law, Bharadwaj said it is within the constitutional right, obligation and authority of the legislative assembly of the city to legislate on the subject of ‘services’.

He said this includes legislation and giving direction to its government, and it can also constitute a public service commission and create one or more public services.