Union Cabinet nods for bill to replace Delhi ordinance on control of officers

The measure that aims to replace the Center’s regulation on the control of services in Delhi was approved by the Union Cabinet on July 25. By issuing an ordinance on May 19, the Centre moved to overturn a Supreme Court decision which had given executive powers to the Delhi government in service matters, including the transfer and posting of officers.

The proposed law will repeal the ordinance and solidify Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena’s authority to veto Delhi’s decisions on service-related issues and send back files for review. The order aims to establish a National Capital Civil Service Authority for 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 as well as disciplinary actions against them.

A five-judge Constitution Bench was assigned to hear the Delhi government’s appeal against the Centre’s Ordinance on July 20 by the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court announced that the Constitution Bench would look into whether Parliament may “abrogate the constitutional principles of governance” for the Delhi government by making a law to take away its control over services.