New Delhi: Headlines for the 10th Day of the Monsoon Session in Delhi could witness turbulence, as the Lok Sabha gears up for a heated debate on The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023, which made its introduction the previous day.
This Bill aims to replace the Centre's Ordinance concerning the control of services in the national capital and bears the stamp of Union Minister for State for Home, Nityanand Rai. As the Lower House convenes on Wednesday, the Bill will be under consideration and subject to potential passage.
The Manipur situation and the demand for a discussion and statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi might continue to cause logjam in both Houses as Parliament resumes its session on Wednesday.
The Opposition benches remained alive with slogan-shouting as the Bill made its debut on Tuesday. However, Home Minister Amit Shah refuted their contentions, invoking a Supreme Court ruling and affirming that the Lower House holds the authority to table any law related to Delhi for consideration and passage. He dismissed the Opposition's protests as merely political in nature.
The Bill empowers the Central Government to establish rules pertaining to the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi, including the functions, terms, and conditions of service for officers and employees.
Earlier, on May 19, the Centre promulgated the Ordinance to assert control over services in Delhi. This move followed a Supreme Court decision that vested control of services in the national capital in the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government.
In a bid to garner support against the Ordinance, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal sought the backing of fellow Opposition parties, particularly in the Rajya Sabha, where the Treasury benches lack a majority. He held discussions with Opposition leaders, including Mamata Banerjee and Nitish Kumar.
The Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (I.N.D.I.A), including the Congress, has already taken a firm stand against the Bill, vowing to oppose it as they believe it threatens the federal structure of governance. On the other hand, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), not aligned with either the Opposition's I.N.D.I.A bloc or the ruling NDA, declared their support for the Centre on Tuesday, dealing a blow to the united Opposition's efforts to defeat the Bill in the Rajya Sabha.
Congress leader P Chidambaram criticized the BJD and YSRCP for supporting the Centre on the Bill, questioning the rationale behind their decision.
During Tuesday's session, despite protests from the Opposition, three Bills—the Biological Diversity (Amendment) Bill, 2023; Multi-State Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Bill, 2023; and Mediation Bill, 2021—were passed through a voice vote, leading to the adjournment of the Upper House until August 2.
When the Parliament reconvenes on Wednesday at 11 am, Opposition MPs, led by the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, will form a 21-member delegation and meet President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan. They plan to submit a memorandum addressing the situation in Manipur.
The meeting with the President is scheduled for 11.30 am on Wednesday and will take place amidst the Opposition's insistence on a detailed discussion on the strife-torn state under Rule 267.
As the Upper House reconvenes, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi will present the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2023 in the Rajya Sabha for consideration and passage, aiming to amend the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957. This Bill has already been passed by the Lok Sabha.
Furthermore, Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, will move the Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill, 2023 in the Rajya Sabha today for consideration and passage to amend the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980. This Bill was also passed earlier by the Lok Sabha.
Lastly, Union Minister of Textiles, Minister of Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Piyush Goyal, will present the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2023 in the Rajya Sabha.
In the Lok Sabha, Union Minister Jitendra Singh is scheduled to make statements on the status of implementation of the recommendations contained in the 355th Report of the Standing Committee on Science and Technology, Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, regarding action taken by the Centre on the recommendations/observations in the 345th Report of the Committee on Demands for Grants (2021-2022) pertaining to the Department of Space.
Later in the session, Union Home Minister Amit Shah will present the Delhi Services Bill, recommending that the amended Delhi Services Bill or the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act, 1991 be taken up for discussion and passage in the Lower House.
Lok Sabha to Discuss No-Confidence Motion on Aug 8,9; Reply on Augt 10"
Govt Set to Introduce Delhi Services Ordinance Bill This Week
Delhi Ordinance on Control of Services Bill Not Listed Today: Pralhad Joshi