Protests erupt in RS over Delhi NCT (Amendment) Bill, opposition calls it 'dangerous' legislation
New Delhi/IBNS: The Rajya Sabha on Tuesday witnessed repeated disruptions over the Centre's Government of NCT of Delhi (Amendment) Bill 2021, which gives more powers to Lieutenant Governor of Delhi. The oppositions called it "dangerous" legislation.
The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2021 has been passed in the Lok Sabha and now awaits the approval of the Rajya Sabha.
The Bill, introduced in the Lower House of Parliament on Mar 15, seeks to amend the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act, 1991 which provides a framework for the functioning of the Legislative Assembly and the Delhi government.
The Bill amends certain powers and responsibilities of the Legislative Assembly and the Lieutenant Governor. It re-defines Delhi Government as the Lieutenant Governor.
The Bill, which is a huge setback for Arvind Kejriwal, also asks the Council of Ministers of the Delhi government to seek the opinion of the LG before taking an executive decision.
Speaking at the Rajya Sabha, Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday said the Bill was aimed at snatching the powers of the elected government.
"This is a very dangerous Bill. It will destroy democracy. You want to make the Lieutenant Governor the 'government' and the elected dispensation his servant," Kharge, a senior Congress leader, said in Rajya Sabha.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) member Sanjay Singh also protested against allowing the motion, saying his notice has been pending in the House.
Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh assured Singh that his notice will be taken up for consideration after the motion on the Bill was moved.
On Tuesday after the look Sabha passed the Bill, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal termed it as "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. BJP has cheated the people," Kejriwal had tweeted.
Passage of GNCTD amendment Bill in Lok Sabha today is 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. BJP has cheated the people
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) March 22, 2021
Support Our Journalism
We cannot do without you.. your contribution supports unbiased journalism
IBNS is not driven by any ism- not wokeism, not racism, not skewed secularism, not hyper right-wing or left liberal ideals, nor by any hardline religious beliefs or hyper nationalism. We want to serve you good old objective news, as they are. We do not judge or preach. We let people decide for themselves. We only try to present factual and well-sourced news.