NEW DELHI: In a setback for Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023 or the Delhi services bill, was passed in Rajya Sabha on Monday, August 7.
The bill was passed with 131 votes in its favour, and 101 votes against it. The bill, that has been a point of contention between the Aam Aadmi Party and the Centre, was passed in the Lok Sabha on August 3.
The voting on the bill was done using division slips. The Opposition had asked for a division of votes on the Delhi services bill.
The bill was introduced in the Upper House by Union Home Minister Amit Shah to replace an ordinance for handling the transfers and postings of officials in the Delhi government.
The ordinance was brought just days after the Supreme Court gave executive powers to the Delhi government in service matters.
Rajya Sabha witnessed unruly scenes during a debate on the bill, especially between AAP MPs and the Centre.
AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal went on a nationwide tour to garner support for the fight against the Centre’s ordinance.
All the major opposition parties–Trinamool Congress, Samajwadi Party, Janata Dal United, Congress, Bharath Rashtriya Samiti (BRS), Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and others had extended their support to AAP in its fight against the ordinance.
