Delhi Services Bill to be tabled in Rajya Sabha by Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah will present the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023 in the Rajya Sabha on August 7, after the controversial bill passed in the Lok Sabha on August 3 through a voice vote.

As per the Rajya Sabha’s listed legislative business for the day, Amit Shah will introduce the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023 for consideration and approval.

This bill – also known as the Delhi Services Bill – will replace an ordinance issued in May by the central government in response to a Supreme Court ruling regarding the control of services in Delhi.

The Rajya Sabha currently has 245 seats, out of which 8 seats are vacant, making the total number of active seats 237. To pass the bill in the Rajya Sabha, a majority mark of 119 votes must be reached.

The combined support of all parties backing the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), including the Congress, amounts to 105 votes.

On the other hand, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has 112 seats in the Upper House. On top of that, the Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP), the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), and the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) have pledged support to the Central government in passing the bill. YSRCP’s 9 seats, BJD’s 9 seats, and TDP’s 1 seat will take the total seat count of those in favour of the bill to 131, allowing the bill to pass without any problems.

Delhi Services Bill an attack on ‘federal structure of India’: Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut

The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023 aims to replace the ordinance issued by the central government in May. The ordinance excluded ‘administrative services’ from the legislative authority of the Delhi legislative assembly, giving the Lieutenant Governor the final say in the functions, terms, and other conditions of service of officers and employees.

This ordinance was passed following a Supreme Court ruling that granted control of services in Delhi, except police, public order, and land matters, to the elected government led by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

The Bill, which replaces the previously promulgated ordinance related to bureaucrats’ control in the Delhi government, was passed with a voice vote on Thursday, with the newly formed Opposition alliance Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (I.N.D.IA) staging a walkout. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has issued a three-line whip to its members in the Rajya Sabha, urging their presence during the discussions. Similarly, the Congress has also issued a three-lined whip to its MPs, urging their attendance in the Upper House until its adjournment on Monday.

Sanjay Raut, an MP from Shiv Sena (UBT), criticised the Delhi Ordinance Bill on Monday, labelling it an assault on India’s federal structure. “This bill is an attack on the federal structure of India. During the elections, they [BJP] had said that they will give statehood to Delhi but lost the election to Arvind Kejriwal. Kejriwal’s government is doing good work in various fields including education, [and] health. They are jealous… We will oppose it in the Rajya Sabha,” he said.