The Bharatiya Janata Party issued a notice to its Lok Sabha Members of Parliament urging them to be present in the House between August 7 and August 11 to support the government’s stand and Bills. This comes after the Lok Sabha passed the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023 amid the walkout of Opposition parties. This Bill will replace an ordinance promulgated for handling the transfers and postings of senior officers in the city government, reported ANI.
The bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha by Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai on Tuesday.
The Bill was easily passed by the Lower House as the majority was held by the BJP. The Bill gives the Lieutenant-Governor (L-G) of Delhi control over Group A services.
The ordinance was promulgated by the central government on May 19, a week after the Supreme Court handed over the control of services in Delhi excluding police, public order and land to the elected government, headed by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
The AAP-led Delhi government has been at loggerheads with the Centre over the control of Group-A and DANICS officers in the National Capital Territory government.
Union Minister Amit Shah said the Opposition parties belonging to the Indian National Developmental, Inclusive Alliance (I.N.D.I.A) came together to oppose the Bill for the sake of their alliance and not for “democracy, the country or its people”.
In his reply to the debate, Shah said that opposition parties did not take part in the debate on any Bill passed in the House and kept protesting on their demands over the debate on the Manipur situation.
Meanwhile on Friday, Lok Sabha proceedings were adjourned till 12 noon following protests by opposition members demanding a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the Manipur issue. As soon as the House met, opposition members came to the well of the House seeking a statement from the prime minister on the Manipur issue. They also demanded a debate.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi told opposition members that there are important bills listed for Friday's business like that on Thursday.
“Not only yesterday's bill, even today's bills are equally important. We are ready for even private members' bills today. Please take part in the proceedings,” he said, according to PTI.