Opposition Gears Up For Protest As Amit Shah Likely To Introduce 'Delhi Services Bill' In Lok Sabha

Union Home Minister Amit Shah is expected to present the controversial bill in Lok Sabha on Monday, aiming to replace the Delhi services ordinance.

Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal had previously announced that the bill would be discussed this week, without specifying the exact date.

The introduction of this bill has become a focal point for the united Opposition against the BJP-led NDA, and it is anticipated to cause a stir in the Lok Sabha. The Opposition is also raising concerns about the legality of passing bills while a no-confidence motion is pending before the House.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), led by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, has garnered support from various political parties, including the Congress, to oppose this bill. They are part of the Opposition coalition INDIA, which aims to challenge the bill collectively.

In the meantime, a draft bill to replace the ordinance, which mandated the establishment of an authority for transfers and postings of senior officers in the Delhi government, has already been circulated among the Members of Parliament before its introduction in Parliament.

According to the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Act, 2023, 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 bill underwent significant revisions, including the removal of Section 3A from the 19 May ordinance. This section aimed to exclude "services" from the jurisdiction of the elected government in Delhi.

Following the Supreme Court's decision to grant control of services in Delhi (excluding police, public order, and land) to the elected government led by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, the central government promulgated the Delhi ordinance a week later.

The bill's statement of objects and reasons explains that a permanent authority will be established to uphold the provisions of article 239AA of the Constitution.

This authority, headed by the Chief Minister of Delhi, along with the Chief Secretary and Principal Secretary of the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi, will make recommendations to the Lieutenant Governor on matters such as transfer postings and vigilance.

The leaders of the INDIA bloc delegation, who recently visited Manipur for two days, will gather at the office of the Leader of Opposition, Mallikarjun Kharge, in Parliament on Monday.

Their purpose is to provide a briefing on the current situation in the northeastern state.

According to a report by a news wire agency, the MPs who were part of the delegation will meet with the floor leaders of the INDIA alliance in the Parliament building at 9:30 am on Monday.