SC clips L-G’s role, rules in favour of AAP regime
The Supreme Court delivered a landmark verdict on the powers of the Delhi government and the Lieutenant Governor (LG). In the judgement, the Supreme Court on Wednesday held that the LG has no absolute or over-riding powers and he is bound by the aid and advice of the council of ministers.
The ruling was on a batch of petitions filed by the Kejriwal government challenging the obstructions caused by the L-G in the day-to-day administration. The court, however, held that Delhi is a Union Territory with special status and cannot be construed as a state as a nine-judge Bench of the apex court has already made the position clear. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said it is a “big victory” for the people of the city and for democracy.
NO POWERS ARE DILUTED: JAITLEY
Arun Jaitley on Thursday said the “presumption” of the Delhi government that the SC judgement has given it administrative powers over union territory (UT) cadre officers is “wholly erroneous”. Wednesday’s judgement of the apex court, he said, does not either add to the powers of the state government or the Central government nor does it in any way dilute them. “It emphasises at the importance of elected state government, but Delhi being a Union territory makes its powers subservient to the Central government,” he said in a FB blog on the Supreme Court’s judgement in the Delhi government case.