Stage set for big fight on Delhi bill as Parl resumes

NEW DELHI: Parliament is set for another rocky session this week, with the Centre likely to introduce the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023, which, if passed, will replace an ordinance that gave the Union government control of the national capital’s bureaucratic set-up

- Saubhadra Chatterji

The House is also likely to take up a debate on a no-confidence motion moved by the Opposition’s Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) grouping, which will try to corner the government on the violence in Manipur.

A senior Lok Sabha official said the Delhi services bill may be introduced in Lok Sabha before being taken to the Rajya Sabha, where the Opposition is better placed to contest the proposed law.

“The nodal ministry has informed us that it wants to bring the bill to replace the Delhi ordinance in the Lok Sabha. We are waiting for the parliamentary affairs ministry’s notice to list the new bill in the agenda of the House,” said the official. 

A review of the text of the bill, seen by HT, suggested that the document has at least three crucial changes, including dropping a contentious provision apparently meant to undo the effect of a May 11 Supreme Court ruling that rested control of Delhi's administration with the city's elected government.

It also proposes to change the manner in which tribunal heads are to be appointed in the national capital, assigning some prerogatives to the lieutenant governor now, as opposed to the Ordinance's approach of the final signatory being the President of India.