President Kovind gives assent to GNCTD Bill as Opposition cries Assault on federalism – Republic TV

In a blow to Delhi-based AAP, President Ram Nath Kovind on Sunday, gave his assent to the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, making it a law. President Kovind is currently admitted to AIIMS hospital and will undergo a planned bypass surgery on March 30. The GNCTD Bill which defines the powers of the Delhi Lieutenant Governor (LG), has been opposed by AAP, terming it 'murder of democracy'.

On Wednesday, Rajya Sabha passed the GNCTD Bill amid a walkout from opposition parties including Congress, SP, BJD, RJD and YSRCP. While 83 MPs voted in favour of the bill, 45 votes were cast against it. Though Congress and SP demanded that the bill should be sent to a Select Committee, BJD MP Prasanna Acharya opined that it undermines the authority of an elected government and Assembly. Amid multiple adjournments, the Upper House witnessed a war of words between AAP and the treasury benches. The Lok Sabha, where BJP has a single-party majority,passed the Bill on Monday.

According to PRS, the Bill proposes to define the powers of the Delhi government and the L-G with regard to the 1991 Act, amending it:

Previously, in a 2019 Supreme Court judgement, Delhi government has been empowered to appoint special public prosecutors or law officers, fixing land revenue rates, the power to appoint or deal with the electricity commission or board. The SC also stated Delhi Anti Corruption Branch (ACB) cannot probe central government employees and that the Centre has the power to appoint Enquiry Commission. The SC has referred to the issue of transfers and posting of officers to a larger bench.

This has led to AAP accuse the BJP of 'giving LG power to stop work being done by the government elected by the people of Delhi' - leading to delay in schemes' implementation. In 2018, the SC had observed that the Delhi government need not obtain L-Gs concurrence on all governance issues, but only inform him. As of now law and order, and the police come under the Ministry of Home Affairs while administrative powers rest under the Delhi government.

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President Kovind gives assent to GNCTD Bill as Opposition cries Assault on federalism - Republic TV