Delhi Assembly Session Likely To Begin On August 16

A session of the Delhi Assembly is most likely to be convened on August 16 and 17. However, a notification regarding the same is still awaited.

A session of the Delhi assembly is most likely to convene on August 16 and 17, said officials on Tuesday. However, a notification regarding the session is still awaited, reported news agency PTI. This comes after Parliament passed the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023. The session is expected to witness a heated debate in the House between the Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party in Delhi and the Opposition, BJP, over the recent flooding in the National Capital Region and the GNCTD Bill.

The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023, which has been passed by Parliament will give the Centre control over bureaucracy in the national capital. Earlier on Monday, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal hit out at the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Centre after the Rajya Sabha passed the Delhi Services Bill amid heavy uproar by the Opposition parties.

Arvind Kejriwal said PM Modi backstabbed the people of Delhi by bringing in the Bill. The Aam Aadmi Party national convenor said the Centre took away all the rights of the people of Delhi. He said, "They realised that it was difficult to defeat AAP in Delhi, thus tried to grab power through the back door.”

Meanwhile, he also extended his thanks to all the parties who were against the bill.

The Indian Express quoted AAP Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj as saying, “The situation in Delhi today is unprecedented. That the biggest ‘panchayat’ of Delhi, the temple of its democracy, will not discuss this is, not possible.” The minister also said an official discussion among different MLAs on the issues is required.

The bill seeks to replace the ordinance on transfers and postings of senior officers in the Delhi government. The Centre had issued the ordinance on May 19, just a week after the Supreme Court handed over control of services in Delhi to the elected government led by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, except police, public order, and land. Currently, the bill passed in both houses of the parliament is awaiting assent from the president in order for it to become the Act.