AAP, Oppn trade barbs in assembly over NCT Act, LG’S enhanced powers

The two-day Monsoon session of the Delhi assembly ended on Friday with a charged debate on the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Act, 2021, which makes the Lieutenant Governor’s (LG) prior opinion a must before every executive action by the Delhi government, and every legislative action by the state assembly.

Leaders of the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) argued that the law – also called the GNCTD Act – is “unconstitutional” and “anti-democracy”. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), on its part, asserted that the law did not weaken the powers of the

NEW DELHI:

AAP MLA

Delhi assembly.

“The GNCTD Act is anti-democracy. It is like a colonial law which gave all powers of governance to the Viceroy. The BJP has failed to understand that the law is not in their interest as well in the long-term…,” said

Delhi minister Satyendar Jain, who is in charge of health, home, power and urban development.

AAP MLA Raghav Chadha said, “This law violates the Supreme Court judgment of 2018 which clearly said that Delhi will be governed by the elected government and the LG cannot interfere in any fashion other than matters related to land, public order and police... It reduces this House to a debating society,” said Chadha.

“The law essentially restricts the House from discussing matters concerning governance of Delhi. If we don’t discuss Delhi, do we discuss governance of Nigeria, Uganda and Uzbekistan?” Chadha added.

The law was notified in Delhi on April 27, after being passed in both houses of Parliament the previous month. While the AAP and other Opposition parties across the country criticised the law, the Centre said it promotes “harmonious relations between the legislature and the executive, and further defines the responsibilities of the elected government and the Lieutenant Governor, in line with the constitutional scheme of governance of Delhi, as interpreted by the Supreme Court”.

Dismissing the AAP’S allegations, BJP MLA Vijender Gupta said, “The GNCTD Act does not reduce the power of the assembly in any way. We fail to understand why the AAP wants to bring up the issue after eight months.”

The law essentially restricts the House from discussing matters concerning the governance of Delhi.