Govt wins numbers game as Delhi Services Bill gets RS nod

NDA: 131, INDIA: 102; voting was the first show of strength of Oppn bloc

- ARCHIS MOHAN

The Rajya Sabha (RS) on Monday passed the contentious Delhi Services Bill, with the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and the YSR Congress Party voting with the government.

The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023, replaces an ordinance promulgated by the Centre to handle the transfers and postings of officials in the Delhi government.

The Bill received 131 votes in favour and 102 against.

The proceedings were marred by complaints from BJD's Sasmit Patra, All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam's M Thambi Durai, Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP's) S Phangnon Konyak, and some others, stating that their names were added unauthorisedly to a motion moved by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Member of Parliament (MP) Raghav Chadha to refer the Bill to a select committee of the House.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah demanded a probe into the issue. Deputy Chairman Harivansh assured that the claims of the five MPs would be investigated. The voting on the Bill showcased the strength of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), whose members replied by chanting 'INDIA' when the treasury benches chanted 'Modi, Modi'.