Chandigarh, March 23, 2021 (Yes Punjab News)
The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) today said the passage of the National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill 2021 in the Lok Sabha which curtailed the powers of an elected government was not conducive to democratic functioning and asked the central government to review it, even as it announced that it would continue to oppose the same when it was presented in the Rajya Sabha.
In a statement here, former minister Dr Daljit Singh Cheema said the Bill sought to bring a democratically elected government under a selected appointee of the Union government. “This is against the federal system of the constitution and could pave the way for more far reaching changes which are not good for diverse country like India. We request the central government to withdraw and Bill from the Rajya Sabha in the national interest”.
Dr Daljit Cheema said the introduction of the National Capital Territory Bill had perturbed citizens across the country. “It comes on the heels of abolition of the Jammu and Kashmir State assembly and introduction of three Agricultural laws which seek to do away with assured government purchase of food grains under the minimum support price (MSP) regime and allowing hoarding of food by corporate houses.
Even as these Acts have been passed the draft electricity bill which seeks to centralize all power decisions besides seeking to take away the power of State electricity utilities is in the offing”.
Speaking about the changes being made through the amended Bill, the SAD leader said now the Lt Governor’s opinion would have to obtained before taking any executive decision. He said this would negate the ideals of representative governance and democracy.
Terming all these measures as anti-people, Dr Cheema said the SAD had always stood up for maintaining the federal structure of the country as enshrined in the constitution.
“We feel that the National Capital Territory Bills seeks to take away the powers of the Delhi government and we are thus opposing this on a matter of principle. We will take up the issue forcefully in the Rajya Sabha and also appeal to all likeminded parties to oppose this undemocratic Bill”.
