The Lok Sabha on Thursday passed the Delhi services bill amid a walkout by the opposition parties, The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023 will replace an ordinance promulgated for handling the transfers and postings of senior officers in the city government.
The lower house passed the bill after a nearly four-hour-long discussion which saw heated exchanges between the government and the opposition. AAP member Sushil Kumar Rinku tore a copy of the bill and thew it towards the chair. He was subsequently suspended by Speaker Om Birla for the remaining part of the Monsoon session for unruly behaviour.
Several opposition parties staged a walkout as the bill was being passed.
While replying to the discussion, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the Centre has the power to make laws on Delhi since it is a Union Territory.
"The bill is constitutionally valid and it is for the benefit of the people of Delhi," he said.
Shah also launched a scathing attack on the Aam Aadmi Party which rules the city state, saying the Arvind Kejriwal's party wants to control the Vigilance as it doesn't want the truth about the expenditure incurred for the renovation of the chief minister's bungalow to come out.
Shah further alleged that the AAP government has not been not functioning within rules and it is even not convening assembly session regularly.