The centre has introduced the Government of NCT of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2021 in Lok Sabha which says the ‘Government’ in Delhi shall mean the Lt-Governor. This has caused a rift between the centre and the state government. A constitution bench of the Supreme Court after taking up the issue had already given a verdict in favour of the elected government on July 4, 2018.
The centre is defending the amendment bill with its claim that the bill is structured to provide the effect to the interpretation of the Supreme Court. Adding to it, the government says that it will specify the constitutional duties of the elected government and Lt. Governor.
While the central government has mentioned that the objective of the bill is to “promote harmonious relations between the legislature and the executive”, the state government believes the centre is trying to nullify the impact of SC judgment with the help of this bill.
If the amendment got clearance from the parliament, the elected government will be forced to route all its files to Lt. Governor before taking any cabinet decision. Essentially, the amendments will withdraw the autonomy of the state government and can prove to be a hurdle in their dream of full statehood for the state.