Constitution has given power to LokSabha to pass any law regarding Delhi: Amit Shah

New Delhi, Aug 1: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday said that Constitution has given the power to the LokSabha to pass any law regarding the state of Delhi.

While speaking on the floor of the LokSabha amid the tabling of the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023, Amit Shah said, “Constitution has given the House (LokSabha), power to pass any law regarding the state of Delhi. Supreme Court judgement has clarified that Parliament can bring any law regarding the state of Delhi. All objection is political.” After a brief discussion on the motion, the bill to replace the ordinance for control of services in Delhi was introduced in LokSabha on Tuesday.

Minister of State for Home NityanandRai introduced the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023.

Opposition members including AdhirRanjanChowdhury, NK Premachandran and ShashiTharoor opposed the introduction of the bill.

“I rise to oppose the introduction of the bill as the bill vindicates the outrageous infringement of this govt upon the territory of the state. It is designed of digging up a graveyard for cooperative federalism. The state has rights over the subject centre is overriding powers,” AdhirRanjanChowdhury said.

Revolutionist Socialist Party MP N. K. Premachandran questioned the legislative competence of LokSabha over the bill.

“There is no meaning of government in delhi if this bill gets passed. It is taking away legislative powers from the elected government through bureaucrats. It is overriding the Supreme Court,” he said.

AIMIM MP AsaduddinOwaisi said that this bill is violating multiple provisions of the constitution. “It is a violation of Article 123. It is violating the separation of powers theory. There is no legislative competence. I demand a division of votes,” he said.

Rejecting the contentions of opposition members, Home Minister Amit Shah said that Constitution has given the House power to pass any law regarding Delhi.

He said the Supreme Court judgement has clarified that parliament can bring any law regarding Delhi and the opposition parties were opposing its introduction for political considerations.

The bill empowers the Central Government to make rules in connection with the affairs of the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi including the functions, terms and other conditions of service of officers and employees.