Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Thursday accused the Centre of trying to govern the national Capital through the "backdoor", claiming the Union Cabinet has cleared a proposal to give more powers to the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi.
Sisodia said that the BJP government at the Centre has secretly worked to get the GNCTD (Amendment) Bill cleared, subverting the mandate of a democratically elected government.
Terming the bill as the murder of constitutional democracy, Sisodia said that Central government wants to impede Delhi’s development and progress by enhancing LG’s power. “The Bill goes against the grain of the Constitution, gives more powers to LG in addition to the existing powers on police, land and public order. It gives unlimited powers to the LG, subverting the mandate of a democratically elected government,” he said.
Addressing the media, he said, "It is clearly mentioned in our Constitution that barring police, land and public order, everything else falls under the ambit of an elected government in Delhi. The Constitutional Bench of the Supreme Court has also clearly distinguished the powers of the elected government and LG. But, the BJP, which has faced defeat thrice in the past, wants to govern Delhi through a proxy."
The deputy chief minister further said, "The LG will use this Act to unnecessarily intervene in the matters of public interest and impede the progress of Delhi. In the last five years, LG has invariably hindered the decisions made by Delhi government. Due to this, many progressive schemes such as Mohalla Clinic, CCTV, Free electricity and water, school infrastructure improvement and others have been delayed, the cost of which is borne by the people of Delhi."
“The BJP does not want world class education, health facilities, free electricity and water being provided to the people by the Delhi Government. Hence, it is using secretive and unconstitutional ways to impede the progress of Delhi. BJP has not been able to provide basic facilities to the public in BJP-ruled states. Rather than working on development in other states, it is trying to deprive the people of Delhi by giving unlimited powers to the LG in such an undemocratic manner,” he said.
As per the NCT amended bill, under the Constitution, LG can refer a particular matter to the President for a decision where his views are different from those of the council of ministers.
In cases where President’s decision is pending , LG can take immediate decision if the matter is urgent.