Opposition defends defeat as Rajya Sabha passes GNCTD Bill 2023; calls it unity of ‘I.N.D.I.A’

Aug 08, 2023

New Delhi, August 8 (ANI): The Rajya Sabha on Aug 07 passed a Bill that gives power to the LG of Delhi to control Group A services that include appointments, transfers and postings of officers in the national capital. The GNCTD Bill 2023 was passed with 131 MPs voting in its favour and 102 against it after a seven-hour-long discussion. Earlier, the Bill was passed in the Lok Sabha on August 3 by voice vote following a five-hour debate. Soon after the Bill was passed Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal made attacks on Home Minister Amit Shah. AAP leader Raghav Chadha said the Delhi Services Bill was a political fraud, a constitutional sin and an administrative logjam. Meanwhile, Congress leader Shakti Singh Shaktisinh Gohil defended it by calling it a good sign of unity of the ‘INDIA’ alliance. Congress’ Pramod Tiwari also called it a ‘moral defeat’ of the BJP by citing how BJD and TRS votes were sought by them. The GNCTD Bill 2023, seeks to replace the ordinance brought by the Centre on May 19 which excluded ‘services’ from the legislative competence of the Delhi legislative assembly. It was promulgated by the central govt a week after the SC handed over the control of services in Delhi excluding police, public order and land to the elected govt.