Union Home Minister Amit Shah is likely to introduce the controversial bill to replace the Delhi services ordinance in Lok Sabha on Monday. Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, while sharing the list of scheduled business for next week, had informed the Lok Sabha that the bill would be taken up this week, though the date wasn't mentioned.
The introduction of the bill, which has become a rallying point for a united Opposition against the BJP-led NDA, is expected to unleash a storm in the Lok Sabha. This also comes as the Opposition questions the legality of passing bills as a no-confidence motion was pending before the House.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's AAP, which is a part of the Opposition coalition INDIA, has gathered the support of political parties, including the Congress, to fight the bill.
Meanwhile, the draft bill to replace the ordinance which mandated the creation of an authority for transfers and postings of senior officers in the Delhi government has already been circulated among the MPs before its introduction in Parliament. According to the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Act, 2023, all transfers and postings of senior officers in the Delhi government will be done by a three-member committee headed by the Delhi chief minister.
The bill underwent major edits, which included dropping Section 3A of the May 19 ordinance, placed in to take "services" out of the purview of the elected government in Delhi.
The Delhi ordinance was promulgated by the central government a week after the Supreme Court handed over the control of services in Delhi excluding police, public order and land to the elected government, headed by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
"With a view to give effect to the intent and purpose behind the provisions of article 239AA of the Constitution, a permanent authority, headed by the Chief Minister of Delhi along with the Chief Secretary, Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi and the Principal Secretary, Home, Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi, is being constituted to make recommendations to the Lieutenant Governor regarding matters concerning transfer postings, vigilance and other matters," according to the statement of objects and reasons of the bill.
Manipur issue
The delegation of INDIA bloc leaders, who have returned after a two-day visit to Manipur, will meet at the Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge's chamber in Parliament on Monday to brief the situation of the northeastern state. The MPs who were part of the delegation will brief floor leaders of the INDIA alliance in the Parliament building at 9:30 am on Monday, reported ANI.
