NEW DELHI: President Ram Nath Kovind on Sunday gave his assent to National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Act 2021, granting more powers to the lieutenant governor in Delhi.
The law seeks to give more powers to the lieutenant governor, specifying that any decision of the state cabinet or government would need his “opinion” before implementation, and that the expression, “Government”, referred to in any law to be made by the assembly shall mean the LG.
The NCT Bill, 2021 was passed by the Lok Sabha on Monday amidst strong opposition from the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) which said that the legislation is “unconstitutional”.
In the Rajya Sabha, deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Sigh declared the bill passed in a voice vote with an 83-45 vote after a walkout by the opposition. The Biju Janata Dal, YSR Congress and Samajwadi Party opposed the bill, but walked out in protest. The Congress walked out after the division of votes.
Condemnation of the move by the Kejriwal government was swift with the CM himself calling it “unconstitutional and undemocratic”. Deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia said the bill will render the elected CM meaningless and have dangerous consequences for the country’s federal structure.
According to the bill’s objects and reasons, it is aimed at ending the lack of clarity on what proposal or matters are required to be submitted to the LG before issuing orders.
Junior home minister G Kishan Reddy introduced the bill, which, sources in the government say, is a bid to clarify “ambiguities” following two judgments by the Supreme Court.