Tense Day Ahead in Lok Sabha as Amit Shah will Introduce Controversial Delhi Services Bill

The Lok Sabha is gearing up for a contentious session as Union Home Minister Amit Shah is set to table the controversial Delhi services bill. The bill aims to replace an ordinance that had mandated the creation of an authority for transfers and postings of senior officers in the Delhi government. Listed for introduction on Tuesday, the bill has become a point of contention between the Opposition parties and the Bharatiya Janata Party-led NDA.

Key Points on the Delhi Services Bill in Lok Sabha:

• The Delhi services bill seeks to override a May 11 Supreme Court judgment that handed over control of the bureaucracy in Delhi to the elected government, except for departments related to police, public order, and land. The new bill intends to allow the Centre to retain control over the bureaucracy in Delhi.
• The ordinance, which was promulgated on May 19, has sparked disagreement between the Opposition parties and the ruling NDA.
• As per The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, a three-member committee headed by the Delhi Chief Minister will be responsible for all transfers and postings of senior officers in the Delhi government.
• The National Capital Civil Service Authority will have the authority to recommend transfers and postings of all Group 'A' officers (IAS) and officers of Delhi Andaman and Nicobar Islands Civil Service (DANICS) serving in the Delhi government. The bill aims to balance the interests of the nation with those of the Union Territory of Delhi in the administration of the capital.
• The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) led by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has strongly opposed the ordinance, accusing the Centre of deceiving the people of Delhi and attacking the Supreme Court and India's federal structure.
• Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit has expressed support for the bill, arguing that it aligns with Delhi's status and that powers should be granted to the city as a full-fledged state.
• Ahead of the bill's introduction, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal met with Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, with no details released on the meeting's content.
• The INDIA alliance, comprising Opposition parties, had been protesting during the session seeking the Prime Minister’s statement on Manipur. However, they are now expected to shift their focus to the Delhi services bill.
• The Rajya Sabha is expected to discuss the bill in the following week.
• It's clarified that the bill will be introduced on Tuesday, and a separate date and time will be allocated for the debate and passage of the legislation.