Kejriwal – Modi Tussle Over Control of Delhi in Court
NEW DELHI (IANS) – The Indian central government on April 27 told the Supreme Court that transfers and postings in Delhi should stay under its control, contending that the entire world views India through Delhi and the city also houses high officials from all countries, therefore, it needs special powers over the administration.
The Centre also moved an application seeking to refer the matter to a constitution bench for a holistic interpretation of Article 239AA of the Constitution.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, submitted before a bench headed by Chief Justice N.V. Ramana that since Delhi is the national capital, it is necessary that the Centre has powers over appointments and transfers of public servants. He contended before the bench, also comprising Justices Surya Kant and Hima Kohli, that “Delhi is the face of the nation. The world views India through Delhi.”
The Centre has argued that the question is not about any political party governing the capital, rather Delhi’s laws were guided by how the capital would be administered.
In 2018, a constitution bench had ruled that police, land and public order are the domain of the Centre, and the rest is under the Delhi government.
On April 12, the Supreme Court commenced the hearing on the dispute between the Centre and the Delhi government in connection with the control over administrative services in the capital. The AAP government alleged that the Centre has been “negating” federalism by taking away its power of transfers and postings.
