GNCT Full Form
What is the full form of GNCT?
The full form of GNCT is Government of National Capital Territory. GNCT, or Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi, is the official abbreviation. In March 2021, the President signed the Government of NCT of Delhi (Amendment) Act, 2021. The Act essentially reduces the power of the elected government and increases the authority of the Lieutenant Governor (LG) of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act, 1991, which it amends, also aims to clarify a few issues.
- What is the full form of GNCT?
- Criticism
- Background
- Point of Discord
- Supreme Court ruling
- Functions of GNCT
- Significance of GNCT
Criticism
The Amendment received harsh criticism from the Aam Aadmi Party, the current governing party of Delhi, for destroying the federal structure of government by giving the Lieutenant Governor authority over an elected body.
Background
The GNCTD Act was passed in 1991 to "supplement provisions of the Constitution relating to the Legislative Assembly and a Council of Ministers for the National Capital Territory of Delhi."
It made it possible for Delhi to have a government that was elected by the people.
The Constitution (69th Amendment) Act of 1991 was praised by the Supreme Court in the past, which stated that its true goal was to create a democratic system and a representative form of government where the majority had the right to express its views in laws and policies pertaining to the NCT of Delhi within the bounds of the Constitution.
Point of Discord
Nevertheless, over time, there was discord regarding power-sharing between the Chief Minister and the Lieutenant Governor (L-G).
The main source of contention in these disputes was the requirement that, in the event of a disagreement between the L-G and the Council of Ministers on any matter, the L-G referred the issue to the President for his decision while maintaining the authority to act as the L-G saw fit until the President made his decision.
Supreme Court ruling
The SC ruled in the 2018 case of Government of NCT of Delhi v. Union of India and Others that: The government was not required to obtain the L-G's approval for decisions; any disagreements should be settled with consideration for the constitutional primacy of representative government and cooperative federalism.
In essence, the SC ruling made it very challenging for the L-G to refer such issues to the President.
Functions of GNCT
The Planning Department is in charge of creating the budget for all schemes, programmes, and projects carried out by the GNCTD of Delhi. This entails:
estimation of the government's resources for the NCT of Delhi.
Estimating the annual outlay for various GNCTD programmes and projects.
Allocation of approved and revised outlays by sector, department, and scheme.
Monitoring and reviewing the status of the various programmes and projects' financial implementation on a monthly basis.
Review of the outcome budget every three months to assess physical development
Evaluation of particular initiatives or programs.
Monitoring of the Projects/Programmes and the Timelines for their Implementation as Announced in the Budget.
Examining and advising:
Submissions for the Ministerial Council's consideration
Expenditure Finance Committee proposals for consideration
proposals for approving new programmes or projects
Funding release requests for all plans and projects.
Significance of GNCT
The Act outlines the duties of the elected government and the L-G, as well as the "constitutional scheme of governance of the NCT," as the Supreme Court has recently interpreted the division of authority between the two bodies in its rulings.
It will also work to ensure that the L-G is "necessarily granted an opportunity" to exercise the powers that have been given to him in accordance with clause (4) of Article 239AA of the Constitution.
In accordance with this specific clause, the Lieutenant Governor may be "aided and advised by the Council of Ministers for the NCT" in the discharge of his duties concerning matters over which the Legislative Assembly has the authority to pass laws.
Additionally, it will stipulate that any rules enacted by the Delhi Legislative Assembly must be "consistent with the rules of the House of the People," otherwise known as the Lok Sabha.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Delhi, or the National Capital Territory of Delhi (NCT), is a city and an Indian Union Territory that houses New Delhi, the nation's capital. The city of New Delhi contains the urban district known as New Delhi. The capital of India is New Delhi, which also houses the offices of all three branches of the Indian government.
The Indian Constitution's 69th Amendment Act granted Delhi special status. The amendment was passed in 1991, and it granted Delhi the status of a special state, naming it the National Capital Territory.
The GNCT of Delhi Act 2021 received the president's approval in march 2021.
CM of Delhi is elected by the People of Delhi through general elections of the Delhi assembly. Afterwards, The President of India appoints the Chief Minister of the NCT of Delhi, based on the advice of the governor.