The Central Government on Wednesday notified the Government’s National Capital Territory Delhi (Amendment) Act 2021, effective from April 27, which extends the powers of the Lieutenant Governor over the elected government of Delhi.
The law empowers the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi by declaring it “Government of Delhi“.
It also provides that the opinion of LG shall be received on all matters specified by LG before taking any executive action on the decisions of the Council of Ministers of the Government of Delhi.
It is pertinent to note that the notification came at a time when the Center and the Delhi government are pitting against each other on issues related to the COVID19 epidemic in the national capital, including the supply of medical oxygen to hospitals.
Salient features of the Act
The Act amends the GNCT of Delhi Act, 1991, a law which provides the framework for the functioning of the Delhi Legislative Assembly and redefines the Government of Delhi as the Lieutenant Governor (LG).
- It empowers the Delhi Legislative Assembly to conduct its proceedings in accordance with the rules of procedure made by it.
- It provides that the rules made by the Delhi Legislative Assembly to regulate the process and conduct of business in the Legislative Assembly must conform to the rules of procedure and conduct of business in the Lok Sabha.
- The Bill prohibits the Legislative Assembly from making any rules to enable itself or its committees to:
(i) consider matters of the day-to-day administration of the NCT of Delhi and
(ii) any in relation to administrative decisions to examine. Further, any provision with the above effect shall be void.
- Further, the Bill provides that LG’s opinion should be obtained before taking any executive action on the decisions of the Delhi Government, such as may be specified by LG.
