Supreme Court verdict on Centre-Delhi tussle today

Supreme Court verdict on Centre-Delhi tussle today

News:

1. The Supreme Court will pronounce its verdict on the ongoing tussle between the Centre and Delhi government.

Important facts:

2.A five-judge Bench headed by Chief Justice of India will deliver its verdict on the Delhi government’s appeal challenging the High Court 2016 judgment holing the Lieutenant-Governor as the administrative head of the Capital.

3.It will provide more clarity on the role of Lieutenant Governor and government in national capital.

4.Delhi government’s arguments:

•  The AAP government had challenged the Delhi High Court ruling which stated that Delhi is a Union Territory and the Lieutenant Governor its administrative head
• The Delhi government has repeatedly highlighted that its government has no say over important departments like law and order and agencies such as the Delhi Development Authority.
• After its victory in 2015 in Assembly elections, the AAP government has clashed with the L-G over appointments, file clearances and control of the police department, which reports to the Centre.
• The Delhi government had argued that the legislative powers of the L-G, as a delegate of the President, is limited compared with those possessed by the Delhi Assembly.

5.Centre’s arguments:

• The centre argued that the Delhi government was at best meant to take care of the “daily utilities” of the Capital and the “real power to administrate the national capital” was vested with the President and the Union of India.

6.High Court Judgment:

• The High Court had ruled that all decisions taken by the Delhi government Ministers must be communicated to the L-G.