NCT Bill 2021
Rajya Sabha passes NCT Bill, Arvind Kejriwal calls it a 'sad day of Indian democracy'
New Delhi/IBNS The Rajya Sabha on Wednesday passed the controversial Government of NCT of Delhi (Amendment) Bill 2021, which aims to give more power to the Lieutenant Governor- the Centre's representative- compared to the city's elected government.
Amid uproar, two adjournments to the proceeding and walkouts by oppositions including the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Congress, the Rajya Sabha passed the Bill by a voice vote, which now awaits a clearance form the President to become a law.
During voting, 83 members were in favour while 45 opposed the legislation.
The Bill, already passed in the Lok Sabha, 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 NCT Bill amends certain powers and responsibilities of the Legislative Assembly and the Lieutenant Governor. It re-defines Delhi Government as the Lieutenant Governor.
Seen as a huge setback for Arvind Kejriwal, the Bill also asks the Council of Ministers of the Delhi government to seek the opinion of the LG before taking an executive decision.
Soon after the passage of the Bill, Kejriwal said it is a sad day for India democracy and that he would continue to fight for restoring the power back to the people.
"RS passes GNCTD amendment Bill. Sad day for Indian democracy. We will continue our struggle to restore power back to people. Whatever be the obstacles, we will continue doing good work. Work will neither stop nor slow down," he wrote in a tweet.
RS passes GNCTD amendment Bill. Sad day for Indian democracy
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) March 24, 2021
We will continue our struggle to restore power back to people.
Whatever be the obstacles, we will continue doing good work. Work will neither stop nor slow down.
Earlier in the day, leader of the opposition Mallikarjun Kharge asked that "Four amendments through this Bill have a provision to declare LG as the government, what is the point of elections then?"
AAP MP Sanjay Singh said, "I am here to seek justice for 2 crore people of Delhi. You will exist if the constitution is intact. 239 AA says Delhi Cabinet will be answerable to the people of Delhi. Whatever is written in the Constitution, you are changing it with a simple act? Your bill is wrong. They are saying L-G means government."
The AAP government has regularly accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of trying to rule the national capital by proxy through the Lieutenant-Governor.
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