After Sailing Through Lok Sabha, Delhi Services Bill To Face Rajya Sabha Test Today

The Delhi Services Bill will be presented in the Rajya Sabha today (7 August) for discussion and voting.

Despite resistance from the Opposition parties, the bill is expected to proceed smoothly with the support of Naveen Patnaik's BJD and Andhra's YSR Congress.

The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023, which replaces the Ordinance that took control of bureaucrats from the Delhi government, has already passed the Lok Sabha.

It was approved by a voice vote on Thursday (3 August) amid the Opposition walked out.

The challenge for the bill was expected in the Rajya Sabha, where the NDA has yet to reach the majority mark. Currently, the Rajya Sabha has 237 members, and the majority mark is set at 119.

The BJP and its allies hold 105 seats and will gain support from the Biju Janata Dal and Andhra Pradesh's ruling YSR Congress, each with nine MPs.

The ruling party is also confident of receiving support from five nominated and two independent MPs, bringing their total numbers to 130.

The Opposition coalition consists of 104 MPs, although some of them may be absent due to illness.

Additionally, Sanjay Singh from the Aam Aadmi Party has been suspended from the House.

It is unlikely that Mayawati's Bahujan Samaj Party and two other parties, each with one member, will participate. Their absence would lower the majority mark, increasing the likelihood of the bill being passed.

Earlier in May, Centre issued an Ordinance to override a Supreme Court order that granted administrative control of Delhi to the elected government.

After an eight-year dispute between the Centre and the Arvind Kejriwal government, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the elected government having authority over Delhi.

A National Capital Civil Services Authority has been established by the Ordinance to handle the postings and transfers of bureaucrats in Delhi. This authority consists of members such as the Chief Minister, the Chief Secretary, and the Principal Home Secretary, who have voting rights on issues. The Lieutenant Governor serves as the final decision-maker.

Kejriwal's AAP argues that this new rule sets a dangerous precedent, allowing the central government to sideline any elected government in any state and assume control of governance.

Union Minister Amit Shah, who will be presenting the bill in the upper house, had earlier stated in the Lok Sabha that the opposition's main concern is to protect their alliance rather than the well-being of Manipur.

He emphasises that Delhi is not a state but a Union Territory, and that the Parliament has the authority to enact laws for Delhi.