Row Over Services: Will Examine If Parliament Can Abrogate C

Card image

Row Over Services: Will Examine If Parliament Can Abrogate Constitutional Principles Of Governance For Delhi, Says Supreme Court

By Team EOS |

The Supreme Court has said a five-judge constitution bench will examine whether Parliament can “abrogate the constitutional principles of governance” for the Delhi government by making a law to take away its control over services. The Centre recently issued an ordinance on the Delhi services matter by exercising its powers under Article 239-AA, a special provision in the Constitution pertaining to the national capital.

The top court, which on Thursday referred to a constitution bench the :
(i) What are the contours of the power of Parliament to enact a law under Article 239-AA(7); and (ii) Whether Parliament in the exercise of its power under Article 239-AA(7) can abrogate the constitutional principles of governance for the National Capital Territory of Delhi (NCTD),” said the order passed by a bench of Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and justices P S Narasimha and Manoj Misra.

A 10-page order, penned by the CJI, said there were two preliminary issues which arose for the consideration by a larger bench.

 

“The first is on the import of Section 3A (of the ordinance). Section 3A removes Entry 41 (services) of List II (State List) from the legislative competence of the NCTD. On the exclusion of Entry 41 from the NCTD’s legislative power, the government of the NCTD ceases to have executive power over services because executive power is co-terminus with the legislative power,” the order said.

The issue, therefore, is whether a law could completely remove Delhi government’s executive power over services, it said, adding that the aspect of services under Entry 41 was also “interconnected with the validity of Section 3A” of the ordinance.

 

While referring the Delhi government’s plea to the constitution bench, it had rejected the vehement submission of the city dispensation that there was no need for referring the matter to a constitution bench as it will “paralyse the whole system” during its pendency.

On Thursday, the bench raised a  raised a query with regard to the ordinance and said it took away the control of services from the control of the Delhi government.

The Constitution excludes three entries of List II (State List) related to police, law and order and land from the control of the Delhi government, it said.

 
“What you (Centre) have effectively done is that the Constitution says barring three entries, Delhi legislative assembly has the power. But, the ordinance takes away Entry 41 (services) (of the List II) also from the power. That is the effect of Section 3A of the ordinance,” the bench said.
The bench had recently issued notices to the Centre and the Delhi lieutenant governor on the plea while refusing to grant an interim stay on the ordinance on control over services in the national capial.

 

Article 239AA deals with special provisions with respect to Delhi in the Constitution and its sub-article 7 says, “Parliament may, by law, make provisions for giving effect to, or supplementing the provisions contained in the foregoing clauses and for all matters incidental or consequential thereto.”

It also says any such law made under the article “shall not be deemed to be an amendment of this Constitution for the purposes of Article 368 notwithstanding that it contains any provision which amends or has the effect of amending, this Constitution.”

The Centre had on May 19 promulgated the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Ordinance, 2023, to create an authority for transfer and posting of Group-A officers in Delhi.
Source
Latest News Latest Supreme Court

Latest Posts

Card image

SC Criticises Trend Of Seeking Bail Under Guise Of Challenging Validity Of PMLA In Money Laundering Cases

Article 32 of the Constitution gives individuals the right to approach the Supreme Court if they feel their fundamental rights have been violated. Supreme Court on Tuesday deprecated the trend of the accused in money laundering cases using Article 32 ...

Card image

Section 47 CPC | Executing Court Can Consider Only Questions Limited To Execution Of Decree; Can't Go Behind Decree: Supreme Court

Lamenting the long delay in the execution of decrees, the Supreme Court observed that under Section 47 of the Code of Civil Procedure, the Executing Court can only go into questions that are limited to the execution of decree and ...

Card image

NRI Divorce and Child Custody Rights in India: What You Must Know

When NRIs (Non-Resident Indians) go through a divorce involving children, legal rights around custody, visitation, and jurisdiction often become complex. Key Points: Jurisdiction Matters: If the marriage was registered in India or the couple last lived here, Indian courts can ...

Card image

An Exegesis On Criminal Offences: A Legal Discourse From The Pinnacle Of The Indian Judiciary

Index: Introduction Understanding Criminal Offences 2.1 Petty Offences 2.2 Cognizable Offences 2.3 Non-Cognizable Offences Consequences of Criminal Offences 3.1 Legal Consequences 3.2 Social and Personal Impact 3.3 Societal Costs Conclusion————————————   Introduction: Criminal offenses encapsulate acts that transgress established laws and regulations, warranting punitive measures imposed ...

Card image

𝐔𝐩𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐄𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐓𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲’𝐬 𝐋𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐥 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐞!

In the realm of law, ethics and professional responsibility form the bedrock upon which trust, integrity, and justice stand. As guardians of the legal system, it is incumbent upon legal professionals to adhere to the highest ethical standards, ensuring fairness, ...

Card image

Supreme Court Says MP, MLA Can’t Claim Immunity From Prosecution On Charges Of Bribery

The seven-judge Constitution bench of the Supreme Court said it disagreed with the judgment in PV Narasimha and the judgment in PV Narasimha which grants immunity to legislators for allegedly bribery for casting a vote or speech has “wide ramifications ...

EOS Chambers of Law

Speak With Our
Experts Today!

Get a Appointment
EOS Chambers of Law