RS passes GNCTD Amendment Bill amid protests

Earlier on Monday, the Bill was passed in the Lok Sabha amid protests from the opposition parties.

The Rajya Sabha on Wednesday passed the National Capital Territory of Delhi Amendment Bill, 2021, which shall give more powers to the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi. Earlier on Monday, the Bill was passed in the Lok Sabha amid protests from the opposition parties. Similarly, in Rajya Sabha the opposition parties protested against the Bill and also staged a walkout. The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill means that the Lieutenant Governor and his opinion has to be taken before the Delhi government takes any executive action.

During voting in the Upper House, 83 members were in favour of the proposed Bill while 45 opposed it. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal called it a sad day for Indian democracy. "RS passes GNCTD amendment Bill. Sad day for Indian democracy. We will continue our struggle to restore power back to people. Whatever be the obstacles, we will continue doing good work. Work will neither stop nor slow down," he tweeted.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and most other opposition parties, including the Congress, the Trinamool Congress, Rashtriya Janata Dal, Shiv Sena, the ruling YSR Congress of Andhra Pradesh, and the Akali Dal had strongly opposed the bill. AAP MP Sanjay Singh too spoke on the matter, "The way Draupadi's clothes were ripped off (in Mahabharat) -- the Constitution is being given the same treatment," reported NDTV.

Union Minister of State for Home Affairs G Kishan Reddy said the amendments have been brought to remove ambiguities in the 1991 Act. He added that the changes were also made in relation to a Supreme Court judgment. Earlier the Apex Court had ruled that the Delhi government is not required to obtain the Lieutenant Governor's "concurrence" on every issue of day-to-day governance.