The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2021 has been passed in the Lok Sabha and will now be up for approval in the Rajya Sabha.
The new Bill makes it clear that the term “government” in any law made by the Legislative Assembly will mean the Lieutenant Governor, whose opinion has to be taken before the Delhi government takes any action.
The Bill gives more power to the Lieutenant Governor. It was brought in Parliament last week, three years after Supreme Court ruled on the dispute between Delhi’s ruling AAP government and the Lieutenant Governor.
In 2018, a five-judge constitution bench of the Supreme Court had held that while the Lieutenant Governor must be informed about Delhi cabinet decisions, his concurrence was not needed except in the case of police, public order and land.
Arvind Kejriwal called the development an “insult” to the people of Delhi.
“ The Bill effectively takes away powers from those who were voted by people and gives powers to run Delhi to those who were defeated,” tweeted the Chief Minister.
The AAP government’s power tussle with Najeeb Jung continued with his successor Anil Baijal.
