'Need Control Over Delhi as World Views India Through Capital': Centre Tells SC

The bench, headed by Chief Justice NV Ramana, was hearing petitions by the Delhi government on Wednesday against Centre’s control of the civil services.

(File Photo: IANS)

The Centre, on Wednesday, 27 April, told the Supreme Court that all transfers and postings of public officials in Delhi should be under its control since the national capital is the “face of the nation.”

The bench, headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) NV Ramana, was hearing petitions by the Delhi government on Wednesday against the Centre’s control of civil services.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, said,

“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.”

He argued that the laws about administering Delhi were meant to prevent any direct confrontation between the Centre and Delhi, and it was not about any political party governing the capital, reported NDTV.

The Centre also moved an application seeking to refer the matter to a five-judge constitutional bench.

Delhi Government Opposes Centre's Suggestion

Meanwhile, the Delhi government has opposed the Centre’s move. The Centre also cited the Balakrishnan Committee report, which stated that it would be in the national interest for the Centre to have control over Delhi to discharge national and international duties effectively, reported IANS.

When the CJI sought Delhi’s government’s opinion on the Centre’s suggestion, lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi said that there was no reason to refer the matter to a larger bench.

Singhvi said,

"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."

On 12 April, the apex court commenced hearings of the dispute between the Centre and the Delhi government in connection with the control over administrative services in Delhi.

(With inputs from NDTV and IANS.)