In the light of recent reported conflicts between the elected representatives and the institution of the Lieutenant Governor in the administration of Delhi, do you think the union territory should be conferred with full statehood? Discuss by analysing various difficulties involved in such a move. (200 words)
Refer – The Hindu
Enrich the answer from other sources, if the question demands.
IAS Parliament 6 years
KEY POINTS
Arguments favouring
· In 1991, when the 69th Amendment to the Constitution created the Legislative Assembly of Delhi, the city’s population was much smaller.
· Today, there are nearly two crore people in Delhi. So, a government which represents 2 crore people cannot be restricted with limited powers.
· Global cases of governance can be a definitive argument in favour of considering Delhi’s full statehood option.
· London, Paris or Washington DC might not be categorised as states, but they have a power system that permit the local government control over legislative, financial and administrative bodies.
· Applying the same to Delhi would ensure that the elected government is not left crippled at the hands of the Union government in integral decision-making processes.
Arguments against
· Double governments – The most intractable issue is the problem of having two governments in the same city-State.
· In the constitutional scheme, law and order, security and land are State subjects.
· No Central government can afford to leave these critical issues to someone else in a city from which it is also functioning.
· Security - It involves the safety of the many entities organically linked to it, especially the embassies which are protected by treaties and conventions and are given immunity in various respects.
· There is also the issue of security of the visiting heads of states and other dignitaries.
· This is a major responsibility of the Centre and cannot be given to another entity.
· Security involves the Central government and its personnel but also various subordinate organisations like the Central police forces, offices of agencies like the Union Public Service Commission, the Comptroller and Auditor General of India and the Central Vigilance Commission.
· Security to the Supreme Court and its judges, two Houses of Parliament and MPs also look to the Central government.
