Only Parliament is empowered to pass #Delhi Statehood Bill and Delhi Legislative Assembly has no jurisdiction over it
Only Parliament is empowered to pass Delhi Statehood Bill and Delhi Legislative Assembly has no jurisdiction over it
Adwaniji had introduced Delhi Statehood Bill in 2003 after the President’s knowledge and recommondation
Bill seeks to make NDMC as Capital of India and non-NDMC areas as a separate Delhi State without Capital tag
Bill seeks to deprive 2 crores Delhiites of their pride of living in India’s Capital
Leader of Opposition in the Delhi Vidhan Sabha, Sh. Vijender Gupta today said that only Parliament is empowered to prepare, adopt and pass the Delhi Statehood Bill as enshrined in the Constitution of India. Delhi Legislative Assembly is not empowered to prepare and adopt the Bill as it is a Constitutional Bill. This proposal is mischievous and unacceptable because it bi-furcates Delhi into two parts. New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) will be the Capital of India with a separate and independent entity. The present non-NDMC area will be Delhi State without the tag of capital city. It will be just like any other State of India. Thus, nearly 2 crores Delhiites will be deprived of the proud privilege of be living in capital city of India. Delhi Government has no jurisdiction and power to adopt the Delhi Statehood Bill. The course adopted by Delhi Government to pass the Bill in the Delhi Legislative Assembly is unconstitutional and undemocratic and dramatic in nature. It seeks to adopt a confrontation with the Centre.
Mr. Gupta reminded Delhi Government that Sh. Lal Krishan Advani, being a Dy. Prime Minister and Home Minister of India, had introduced The State of Delhi Bill, 2003 in the Parliament on 13 August 2003. It had the President of India’s recommendation under Article 3, 117 and 274 of the Constitution of India. In a letter to the Secretary-General Lok Sabha, Sh. Advani had communicated that the President has been informed on the subject matter of the proposed Bill to grant full Statehood to Delhi. President recommended the introduction of the Bill under the aforesaid Sections. It is a different matter that the Bill could not be passed for different reasons. But it highlights the procedure required to be adopted. Mr. Kejriwal now for no rhyme or reason except for self-projection wants to introduce the Bill in Delhi Legislative Assembly.
Leader of Opposition said that 1989 Bal Krishan Committee Report had recommended Constitution of the State of Delhi as Union Territory with Assembly. It was adopted on 21st December 1991 as 69th Amendment. Delhiites got the power to elect their representatives under this Constitution amendment. It was laid down that the entire affairs of Delhi would be run according to the Section-239 AA of the Constitution of India.
In the present State of Affairs, we can very well make out the unconstitutionality of the entire Statehood affair as envisaged by the Delhi Government. It is not following the laid down procedure and we can foresee the fate of Bill, said Mr. Gupta.
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