Shah's affirmation comes as the bill undergoes parliamentary scrutiny following its introduction for passage.
Amidst a vigorous parliamentary discourse, Home Minister Amit Shah staunchly defended the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023, asserting that it impeccably adheres to the directives of the Supreme Court. Shah's statement emerged shortly after he introduced the bill for passage, following a disapproving resolution by opposition members concerning a preceding government ordinance from May.
Shah accentuated, "The Delhi Services Bill stands unwaveringly within the boundaries set by the Supreme Court. Its core intention remains steadfast: fostering efficient, corruption-free governance in the heart of the nation."
The bill's lineage, according to Shah, traces back to its inception during the Congress regime. "I wish to reassure that no provisions have been altered from its original form during the Congress tenure," Shah reaffirmed, highlighting the continuity of the bill's essence.
In an impassioned exchange within the parliamentary arena, Shah accused the Congress of adopting a contradictory stance by opposing the very bill it initially introduced. "Their political affiliations are now intertwined with the Aam Aadmi Party's, an alliance that comes to light through this act of opposition," Shah declared amid a flurry of objections from the opposition benches, according to media reports.
The bill bestows the Central Government with the authority to formulate regulations pertaining to the affairs of the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi, encompassing functions, terms, and conditions of service for officers and employees.
This legislative pursuit stems from a significant Supreme Court ruling that delineated the jurisdiction of services in Delhi, excluding police, public order, and land, to the elected government, helmed by Arvind Kejriwal of the Aam Aadmi Party.