With Rajya Sabha nod, Parliament passes Delhi services bill
Delhi services bill. The contentious bill, passed by the Lok Sabha last week, received 131 votes in favour and 102 votes against. Replying to the bill, home minister Amit Shah referred to Sec-239AA of the Constitution to contend it did not violate the Supreme Court verdict, which clearly mentioned that Parliament can enact any law with regard to NCT of Delhi.
The bill aimed to introduce a 'corruption-free administration' in Delhi, he claimed. «The Delhi services bill has been brought as the AAP government does not adhere to rules. You can't demand rights of Parliament by contesting panchayat elections,» Shah said.
The Congress government amended the Constitution to bestow power on Parliament to frame laws for Delhi on all subjects, including services. «This bill has been brought not to usurp powers of Delhi government, but to stop encroachment on the Centre's right,» he contended. Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi termed the bill as unconstitutional.
«This bill is completely unconstitutional and undemocratic and is a frontal attack on the regional voice and aspirations of the people of Delhi. It violates all aspects of federalism and all norms of civil service accountability,» he said. His colleague P Chidambaram contended the Centre did not have the constitutional or moral authority to pass the bill.
«BJP has not been in power for 25 years in Delhi. What moral authority do you have to speak about the people of Delhi.» Several Opposition MPs who spoke pointed to the May 19 ordinance and said that there was no extraordinary situation to promulgate an ordinance before the Supreme Court vacation. BJP leader Sudhanshu Trivedi argued «it became mandatory after the chief secretary of Delhi was manhandled in presence of the
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