Lok Sabha takes up National Capital Territory of Delhi Amendment Bill 2021 for Consideration & Passage

The Lok Sabha has taken up the National Capital Territory of Delhi Amendment Bill 2021 for consideration and passage. 

The Bill amends the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act, 1991 which provides a framework for the functioning of the Legislative Assembly and the government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. 

The Bill amends certain powers and responsibilities of the Legislative Assembly and the Lieutenant Governor. 

It further seeks to ensure that the Lieutenant Governor is necessarily granted an opportunity to exercise the power in a select category of cases. 

It also gives power to LG to make rules in matters which fall outside the preview of the Delhi Legislative Assembly. 

It has a provision that all executive action will be expressed to be taken in the name of the Lieutenant Governor.

Moving the bill, Minister of State for Home, G. Kishan Reddy said the bill aims at promoting harmonious relations between the legislature and the executive in the national capital. He said it will remove certain technical and legal ambiguities which are hampering the development of Delhi. 

Mr. Reddy added that legislation has been brought in view of the Supreme Court’s judgment in 2018 with



regard to delegation of power between Delhi government and LG.

Initiating the discussion, Manish Tewari termed the Bill unconstitutional alleging that it is an attempt to take away the democratic system and representative character of the national capital. 

He alleged that the Center wants to run Delhi through Lieutenant Governor. 

Vinayak Raut of Shiv Sena said, Delhi Assembly will not be in a position to do any work after the passing of this Bill. Danish Ali of Samajwadi Party said, BJP used to demand full statehood of Delhi but now with this legislation it is trying to end the democratic process in the city. 

He accused the Centre of working with malafide intention against the Delhi government. 

NCP MP Supriya Sule appreciated the development works done by the Delhi government. She questioned BJP’s criticism of Delhi government advertisement budget saying why UP government is putting advertisements in Maharashtra's newspapers. 

Participating in the discussion, Meenakshi Lekhi of BJP said that the Centre needs more power for the development of the City. 

She said several Central government welfare schemes like Ayushman Bharat are not being implemented in the city which is hampering the welfare of people.