The Delhi Service Bill 2023 is a bill which has been recently passed in the Rajya Sabha. The main objective of this bill is to stop the misuse of powers by the Delhi government. There is a possibility of change in the governance system of Delhi through Delhi Service Bill 2023. Regarding the Delhi Service Bill 2023, the opposition got 102 votes while the favor got 131 votes. The main controversy over the bill is about the powers of the Delhi government.
What is Delhi Service Bill?
The Delhi Services Bill is an amendment bill, officially known as the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023, has been passed in the Rajya Sabha with a total of 131 votes. The bill replaces an ordinance that took away bureaucratic control from the Delhi government.
Features of Delhi Service Bill:-
- The Bill proposes to set up a National Capital Civil Services Authority that will recommend transfers and postings of all Group A officers (IAS) serving in the Delhi government and officers of the Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands Civil Service (DANICS).
- The head of the Lok Sabha Government of Delhi will be given deliberative power over various matters, including recommendations from the National Capital Civil Service Authority and decisions relating to the Delhi Legislative Assembly.
- Section 45-D of this bill, which was related to the appointment of chairpersons and members of authorities, boards, commissions and constitutional bodies in Delhi, has been removed. Now its place will be appointed as per the recommendations of the National Capital Civil Services Authority-NCCSA committee.
Leaders objected to the passing of the bill:-
Many opposition leaders, including Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, have said that the bill undermines the separation of powers and federalism. Tharoor claims that the bill is an attack on democratic history and federalism. Other leaders have called it an attempt to curtail the powers of any elected government.
Government's reply on the subject of implementation of Delhi Service Bill: -
The Government of India has defended the Delhi Services Bill, 2023 saying that it is necessary to ensure smooth functioning of the administration in Delhi. The government has also said that the bill does not take away any powers from the Delhi government, but only clarifies the existing arrangements.