New Delhi: The Centre today defended its control over transfers and postings of officers in Delhi. Centre told Supreme Court that it needs to have special powers in the administration in capital state of the country. The Delhi’s government has objected the Centre’s stance.
“Since Delhi is the national capital, it is necessary that the Centre has powers over appointments and transfers of public servants. Delhi is the face of the nation. The world views India through Delhi,” the Centre told the Supreme Court.
The SC is hearing Delhi Government’s petition over the control of civil services in the state.
The Centre argued that essential feature about Delhi’s laws was guided by how the great capital of this nation would be administered. It was not meant to be about any particular political party.
“Since it is the national capital, it’s necessary that the Centre has special powers over its administration and has control over important issues,” it said. It further added that the laws about administering Delhi were meant to prevent any direct confrontation between the Centre and Delhi.
The Centre also referred to the Balakrishnan Committee report. The report had concluded that it was “vital in national interest” for the Centre to have control over Delhi.
The Centre said that the case should be sent to the five judge constitutional bench.
This suggestion was strongly opposed by the Delhi Government.
“There is no need to refer the matter to a larger bench as being suggested by Centre,” said Delhi government lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi.
“During the last two-three hearings, the central government has been arguing for sending this matter to the Constitution Bench. There is also no need to discuss the Balakrishnan committee report as it was rejected,” Singhvi said.
This response of Delhi’s government came after the CJI N V Ramana enquired about what earlier benches had said on the powers of the legislative assembly and sought the Delhi government’s views on the Centre’s suggestion.
Delhi’s Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government has long accused the Centre of using the Lieutenant Governor to control the capital and obstruct the decisions of the elected government.
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