NEW DELHI: The truce between the Delhi government and the Centre over exercise of powers seems to be over. Deputy CM Manish Sisodia on Thursday slammed the Centre after the Union cabinet approved some proposed amendments to the Government of NCT of Delhi Act to give more powers to the lieutenant governor and prescribe timelines for the elected government to send legislative and administrative proposals to the LG for his opinion. This was reported in TOI on Thursday.
The Centre has included the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2021 for consideration and passage during the current Budget session of Parliament.
Many progressive schemes delayed by LG in last five years, says Sisodia
The Bill gives unlimited powers to the LG, subverting the mandate of a democratically elected government,” Sisodia said, expressing his apprehension that the LG may use this act to unnecessarily intervene in matters of public interest and impede the government’s work in Delhi.
The deputy chief minister said the BJP government at the Centre has secretly worked to get the Bill cleared, subverting the mandate of a democratically elected government. Calling the Bill “murder of constitutional democracy”, Sisodia said the central government wants to hinder Delhi’s development and progress by enhancing the LG’s powers. He said the Bill goes against the Constitution in giving more powers to the LG in addition to the existing powers on land, police and public order.
The proposed amendment specifies that the elected city government needs to send legislative proposals to the LG at least 15 days in advance and that administrative proposals must reach him before seven days to seek his opinion and avoid any delays. The AAP government has had a long history of power tussle with the Centre that started as soon as it took over for the second time in 2015.
“In its reading of the Constitution, the constitutional bench of Supreme Court has clearly demarcated the powers of elected government and LG. But, BJP, which has faced defeat thrice in the past, wants to govern Delhi through a proxy,” said Sisodia.
"In the past five years, the LG has invariably hindered the decisions made by the Delhi government. Due to this, many progressive schemes, such as mohalla clinics, CCTVs, free electricity and water and school infrastructure improvement, have been delayed and the cost is paid by the people of Delhi,” Sisodia said.
The AAP functionary said that BJP doesn’t want world class education and health facilities and free electricity and water for the people of Delhi. “That’s why it is taking to secretive and unconstitutional ways to impede the progress of Delhi. BJP hasn’t been able to provide basic facilities to people in the states governed by it. Rather than ensuring development in other states, it’s trying to deprive Delhiites by giving unlimited powers to LG in an undemocratic manner,” he said, adding that BJP will revoke free power, water and bus rides for women.