New Delhi: Congress on Wednesday issued a whip, urging all its Rajya Sabha members to be present in the house on Thursday as “very important issues will be taken up for discussion”, following the Centre’s planning to bring a Bill aiming to replace the Delhi services ordinance.
On Tuesday, the Union cabinet granted its approval to the Bill intended to replace the previously promulgated ordinance concerning the establishment of an authority for transfers and postings of Group-A officers in Delhi.
In response to the impending discussion in Rajya Sabha on Thursday, July 27, 2023, the Congress’s chief whip issued a three-line whip to all members of the party.
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The whip emphasized the importance of the issues to be taken up during the session and called for the unwavering presence and support of the Congress members in the House from 11 am onwards until its adjournment.
The matter was categorically marked as “most important,” underlining the gravity and significance of the discussions that are expected to transpire during the parliamentary session.
However, on May 19, following the Supreme Court’s decision to grant control of services in Delhi (excluding police, public order, and land) to the elected government led by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, the central government promulgated the controversial Delhi ordinance.
This ordinance paved the way for the establishment of a National Capital Civil Service Authority, responsible for handling the transfer and disciplinary proceedings of Group-A officers belonging to the DANICS cadre.
Prior to the top court’s verdict on May 11, the transfer and postings of all officers in the Delhi government were under the executive control of the lieutenant governor.
Arvind Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) expressed strong opposition to the ordinance, accusing the Centre of deceiving the people of Delhi. The Congress party and various other opposition parties have also voiced their disapproval of the ordinance.
