President Approves Delhi Governance Bill Amidst Rajya Sabha Controversy
New Delhi, 12th August 2023: President Draupadi Murmu has given her assent to several bills that were recently passed during the monsoon session of Parliament. These bills encompass a range of areas, including digital personal data protection, amendments to registration of births and deaths, changes to the government structure in the National Capital Territory of Delhi, and modifications to provisions within the Jan Vishwas Bill.
One of the notable bills pertains to the governance of Delhi and has implications for the Arvind Kejriwal-led government as well as opposition unity. Earlier approved by the Lok Sabha on August 3, this bill was met with some opposition in the Rajya Sabha, where the ruling coalition secured the support of 131 members, while 102 MPs voted against it. The bill aims to establish an authority responsible for the transfer and disciplinary proceedings of bureaucrats from various service cadres, the DANICS cadre extends its jurisdiction over regions including Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, as well as the territories of Daman and Diu, along with Dadra and Nagar Haveli.
The Rajya Sabha outcome marks a significant development, as it signifies a setback for the coalition formed by 26 opposition parties, which includes prominent players like the Congress, The parties include the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the Trinamool Congress, the DMK, and Sharad Pawar’s NCP. The opposition had sought to block the bill’s passage in the Rajya Sabha, where the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) lacked a majority. However, unexpected support from parties like YSR Congress Party (YSCRP) and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) bolstered the ruling coalition’s position. This event underlines the dynamics of the political landscape and showcases the complexities of coalition dynamics in Parliament.
