Centre's Bill On Control Of Delhi Services Passed In Lok Sabha Amidst Walkout By Opposition MPs

New Delhi, August 4 (TNA) The Lok Sabha late on Thursday passed the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023, amidst a walkout by opposition MPs after a day of heated exchanges. Home Minister Amit Shah defended the bill, stating that it was in accordance with the Supreme Court's order, allowing the centre to legislate on matters concerning Delhi. The bill aimed to override the Supreme Court's decision on control of bureaucrats in the national capital.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal vehemently opposed the bill, tweeting that it sought to "enslave" the people of Delhi and make them helpless. He criticized the BJP and Congress for governing the city without conflict until 2015 when his party, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), came into power.

The AAP-led Delhi government has been in a prolonged battle with the centre over control of Group-A officers in the National Capital Territory administration. Previously, the centre issued an ordinance in May to take back control of "services" in the NCT administration from the Delhi government, which was later replaced by the passed bill.

The bill's passage has set the stage for further political confrontations between the Delhi government and the centre over administrative control in the national capital.