The Delhi Services Act became a law after President Droupadi Murmu gave her approval.
The Bill, now signed into law, is meant to replace the contentious Ordinance on the control of services in the national capital. It drew stiff resistance from several opposition parties.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah tabled The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023, in Lok Sabha on August 1. The Bill was then passed in the Rajya Sabha on August 7. The Bill, granting the central government authority over bureaucrats in the national capital, was passed in the Upper House with 131 votes in favour and 102 votes against it.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) termed the bill as the most “undemocratic” piece of paper ever tabled in Parliament.
The Bill proposed that actions like suspensions and inquiries of the national capital’s officials would be under the control of the centre. It was tabled in the Parliament amid an uproar in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha over the situation in Manipur.
The monsoon session of the Parliament witnessed a stormy session after the government tabled a bill in parliament for control of services and officers’ posting in Delhi, with most of the opposition parties against the Bill.
The Delhi Services Bill sought to replace the Ordinance promulgated by the Centre on May 19. The ordinance was issued a week after the Supreme Court ruled that the Delhi Government has power over the administration and control of civil servants, except in matters relating to public order, police, and land.