The Union Home Ministry said on Tuesday that President Draupadi Murmu has given the power to Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor Vinay Kumar Saxena to create and appoint members of any authority, board, commission or statutory body under the laws made by Parliament for the capital Delhi. The Union Home Ministry also issued a notification in this regard on Tuesday. A gazette was also issued in this regard.
In a gazette notification issued by Additional Secretary Ashutosh Agnihotri, the Home Ministry said, “In pursuance of clause (1) of Article 239 of the Constitution read with section 45U of the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act, 1991 (1 of 1992), the President hereby directs that the Lieutenant Governor of the National Capital Territory 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 45U of the said Act for the constitution of any authority, board, commission or any statutory body, by whatever name called, or for the appointment of any Government officer or ex officio member to such authority, board, commission or any statutory body.”
The President’s new order is likely to again escalate the confrontation between the Lieutenant Governor and the ruling Aam Aadmi Party government in the capital. Last year, the President gave his assent to the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill 2023, which said that all transfers and postings of officers will now be done by the National Capital Civil Services Authority (NCCSA). The body will be headed by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and two senior bureaucrats of the Delhi government will be its members. The authority was given the power to take decisions by majority and the final decision rested with the Lieutenant Governor. Opposing the Act, Kejriwal had accused the Center of trying to snatch the votes of Delhi residents by twisting their arms.
