President Droupadi Murmu delegated authority to Delhi's Lieutenant Governor (LG) Vinai Kumar Saxena, allowing him to form and appoint members to any authority, board, commission, or statutory body under laws enacted by Parliament for the National Capital Territory of Delhi on Tuesday. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued a gazette notification outlining this delegation of powers.
MHA notification details
The MHA's notification stated, "In pursuance of clause (1) of Article 239 of the Constitution read with section 45D of the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act, 1991, the President hereby directs that the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi shall, subject to the control of the President and until further orders, exercise the powers of the President under clause (a) of section 45D of the said Act for the constitution of any authority, board, commission or statutory body, or for the appointment of any Government officer or ex-officio member to such bodies."
Potential conflict with AAP government
This new Presidential order is anticipated to ignite tensions between the LG and the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi. Last year, the President approved the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill 2023, which granted the National Capital Civil Services Authority (NCCSA) the power to oversee all transfers and postings of officers. The NCCSA is chaired by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, with two senior government bureaucrats as members. Decisions by this body are made by majority vote, with the final say resting with the LG. The AAP has opposed this legislation, with CM Kejriwal accusing the Central Government of attempting to "arm-twist" Delhi’s residents and undermine their electoral choices.
Response from Delhi government
Earlier in the day, Delhi minister Saurabh Bharadwaj criticized LG Vinai Kumar Saxena, alleging that he plans to "waste" taxpayers' money to enhance his image on social media, calling it a "conspiracy" to influence voters ahead of upcoming assembly elections. Bharadwaj stated, "LG sir has such a desire to become famous. Instead, he wants to become famous by paying from Delhi taxpayers’ money. It is a matter of shame," as quoted by PTI.
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