President gives assent to Delhi Municipal Corporation (Amendment) Bill

The legislation was passed by the Lok Sabha on March 30 and by the Rajya Sabha on April 5

President Ram Nath Kovind has given his assent to the Delhi Municipal Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2022, which seeks to unify the three civic bodies in the national capital.

The legislation was approved by the Lok Sabha on March 30 and by the Rajya Sabha on April 5.

"The following Act of Parliament received the assent of the President on the 18th April, 2022 and is hereby published for general information: The Delhi Municipal Corporation (Amendment) Act, 2022 No. 10 of 2022," said a gazette notification issued by the Centre.

According to the legislation, the unification of the municipal corporations in Delhi will ensure synergised and strategic planning and optimal utilisation of resources.

Replying to debates on the legislation in the Rajya Sabha, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had said the move was necessitated due to the "step-motherly treatment" meted out to the civic bodies by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi.

"The way the AAP government in Delhi meted out step-motherly treatment towards the three civic bodies, we had to bring this Bill. You can have animosity towards us, but what animosity do you have towards the people of Delhi? They have voted you to power...," Mr. Shah had said.

"This Bill is in accordance with the Constitution. The Centre has the power to enact laws in the Union Territory of Delhi.... This Bill, from no angle, is an attack on the federal structure," the Union home minister had said, allaying the concerns raised by some Opposition members.