The Hindu : Statehood Bill issue all set to stir a hornet's nest

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Aug 12, 2003

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Statehood Bill issue all set to stir a hornet's nest

By Sujay Mehdudia

NEW DELHI AUG. 11. Even before the Statehood Bill cleared by the Union Cabinet today can be introduced in Parliament, the issue is all set to stir a hornet's nest as the draft Bill falls far short of expectations. Not only is the Congress disappointed but there is also a feeling of "being let down'' in the BJP camp over the provisions of the Bill.

The Congress was well guarded in its reaction and wanted time to study the provisions of the Bill before finally giving its viewpoint. On the other hand, the Delhi BJP president, Madan Lal Khurana, termed the clearance by the Union Cabinet as a historic day for Delhi and urged the Congress to extend full support to the move to grant full Statehood to Delhi. However, what was not clear was the word "full'' in the concept of Statehood as reports had come in that apart from law and order coming directly under the Union Home Ministry, the provision of the Centre giving a directive to the State Government on disputed matters which would be binding on it was fraught with danger as the Centre and the State had in the past been engaged in disputes over various issues.

Moving swiftly, the Chief Minister, Sheila Dikshit, shot off a letter to the Deputy Prime Minister, L.K. Advani, protesting that the Delhi Government had not been kept in the picture on the draft legislation. In her letter, Ms. Dikshit stated that she had come to know about the Statehood Bill from the media. No consultations were held with the Delhi Government on the issue before bringing it before the Union Cabinet and the duly elected Delhi Government was in the dark about the provisions of the Bill and what it contains.

Ms. Dikshit has urged Mr. Advani that the Bill be introduced in Parliament only after the Delhi Government is taken into confidence.

For her part, the Chief Minister said she would wait to have a look at the draft Bill before spelling out a final stand on the issue. After its introduction in Parliament, the Bill will be sent to the Standing Committee for scrutiny.

The Chief Minister also called an "informal'' meeting of the Delhi Cabinet to discuss the matter and the stand of the Government on the issue. However, in view of lack of information on the draft Bill cleared by the Union Cabinet, it was decided to meet again on Tuesday morning at 10-30 a.m. to come up with a firm stand on the issue.

However, from what has been stated in the past and claimed by both the Congress and the BJP, the Bill is certainly not going to make anyone happy or life easier for the common man. In fact, the citizens would have to shuttle between two agencies again for matters relating to police and legal disputes.

It was on October 15 last year that both the BJP and the Congress had come out with a "consensus document'' on the issue calling for an amendment to Article 371 of the Constitution by incorporation clause "J'' to ensure special consideration with regard to security and financial matters concerning Delhi Government. Both parties had insisted that law and order be with the State Government and also the New Delhi Municipal Council come under the control of the State Government.

The BJP rank and file, although happy that the Bill has come at last, are cautious in their remarks. They are also feeling a bit disappointed by the fact that law and order would continue to remain with the Central Government, which is not a very happy situation for any elected representative. But overall there is a sense of satisfaction that at least the Statehood promise has materialised, maybe in a less important format.

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Statehood Bill issue all set to stir a hornet's nest