Union Cabinet clears bill to replace Delhi ordinance on control of officers

In a major development, the Union Cabinet on Tuesday approved a bill to replace the ordinance that permits the centre to take away the Delhi government’s control over officer posting. The bill will be introduced in parliament soon, they said.
The ordinance had been one of the most recent flashpoints between the BJP and the Delhi government. The AAP government has challenged it in the Supreme Court, with the support of the Congress and other opposition parties.
An ordinance is brought by the government when the parliament is not in session, but it must be approved by the legislature within six weeks of its reassembly.
The ordinance seeks to set up a National Capital Civil Service Authority to oversee the transfer of Group A officers from the Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar, Lakshadweep, Daman and Diu, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli (Civil) Services (DANICS) cadre. It would also empower the body to initiate disciplinary actions against them.
The AAP claimed the ordinance defied the Supreme Court, which had ruled in the state government’s favour. In May, the court ruled that the Delhi government must have authority over services and that the Lieutenant Governor must follow its decision.
The Supreme Court, which is now hearing the AAP government’s challenge to the ordinance, said last week that a five-judge constitution bench will investigate if the Parliament can make a law to take away the state’s control over services.