New Delhi:: During the latter part of the current session on Friday, the Delhi Legislative Assembly is set to deliberate on the Government of NCT of Delhi (Amendment) Act, 2023.
The recent legislation, which seeks to supplant the previously issued Ordinance by the Central Government regarding control over Delhi services, had been introduced, passed in both Houses of Parliament, and subsequently ratified into law through presidential approval.
According to the agenda outlined for Friday's legislative proceedings, several Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) from the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), specifically Sanjeev Jha, Bhavna Gaur, and Akhilesh Pati Tripathi, are expected to initiate a discourse concerning the "Unilateral action of the Central Government in enacting the NCT Amendment Act, 2023, aimed at diminishing the authority of the elected Delhi Government. This act is viewed as a complete transgression of constitutional provisions and the rulings of the Supreme Court."
Meanwhile, in anticipation of discussions related to the Delhi Services bill, Saurabh Bhardwaj, an AAP leader, conveyed on Friday that the central government aims to commandeer the bureaucracy within the national capital, thereby causing inconvenience to the residents of Delhi through the manipulation of officials, which in turn disrupts ongoing developmental projects. Bhardwaj stated, "The central government is striving to exert control over Delhi's bureaucratic machinery. Their intent is to inconvenience the citizens of Delhi by exploiting bureaucratic channels, leading to the halt of development-centric initiatives. The primary objective of this legislation seems to encompass the cessation of pension disbursements to the elderly, protracted closures of OPD counters at government hospitals, cessation of testing at local clinics, and the cessation of doctor remunerations."
"Further, withholding funds from the Delhi Jal Board, thereby stalling the Yamuna cleaning initiatives, is an integral part of the broader scheme associated with the enactment of this law. This scheme is purportedly devised by officials under the directive of the central government. Consequently, the central government's aim appears to center on the command of Delhi's bureaucratic officials," he appended.
On August 7, the Parliament successfully endorsed the Bill, conferring authority upon the Lieutenant Governor to exercise control over Group A services within Delhi, which encompasses matters pertaining to appointments, transfers, and postings.
The Bill was adopted following a division, wherein 131 Members of Parliament expressed their support for the legislation, while 102 voted in opposition.
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