The Government of India has notified the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Act, 2021. The provisions of the Act came into effect from April 27, according to a notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). This Act gives more authority to the Lieutenant Governor (L-G) of Delhi over the elected government in the city.
Simply put, Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor (L-G) Anil Baijal is THE government in the Union territory now. According to the legislation, the opinion of the L-G “shall be obtained” before taking any executive action on decisions of the Council of Ministers of the Delhi government.
The notification signed by additional secretary in the MHA, Govind Mohan, stated, “In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (2) of section 1 of the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Act 2021 (15 of 2021), the Central Government hereby appoints the 27th April 2021 as the date on which the provisions of the said Act shall come into force.”
The notification has come in the middle of the Covid-19 crisis which is at its peak in the national capital, and the Centre and Delhi government are often pitted in a blame game over Covid-19 management such as shortage of hospital beds and erratic supply medical oxygen in hospitals, that are being flagged on a daily basis in the media and sos calls are given on social media.
On March 24, Parliament passed the contentious Government of National Capital territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2021. It was opposed by many who saw this Act as empowering the centre-nominated Lieutenant Governor (LG) and weakening the elected Delhi government. The Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha on March 15 and was passed by the House on March 22. It may be read here.
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