After empowering Lt Governor, the Union Home Ministry on Thursday said the new amendments are “in no way alter the constitutional and legal responsibilities of the elected Government” in Delhi State. 

“The amendments to the GNCTD Act, 1991, in no way alter the constitutional and legal responsibilities of the elected Government to take necessary action, in respect of the subjects transferred to them in the State and Concurrent Lists of the Constitution of India, including subjects such as health, education, etc,” said Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in a statement.

The MHA’s statement came in the wake of the past few days ongoing tussle of Delhi State and Centre in the High Court over the Oxygen and health infrastructure scarcity. The objective of the Amendment Act is to make it more relevant to the needs of the Capital; further define the responsibilities of the elected Government and the Lt. Governor (LG); and, create a harmonious relationship between the Legislature and the Executive. 

The Amendment would ensure better governance in the NCT of Delhi and lead to improved implementation of schemes and programmes meant for the common people of Delhi, said MHA.

The Union Home Ministry also said that the amendment are consistent with the existing legal and constitutional provisions, and are in line with the judgments of the Supreme Court dated on July 4, 2018 and February 14, 2019.

From end 2013 after the Aam Admi Party Government led by Arvind Kejriwal came to power in Delhi, on many issues locked horns with the Centre, leading to the 2021 amendment Act empowering the LG.