Full statehood rights cannot be given to Delhi unless there is consensus: Arun Jaitley

By NewsGram Staff Writer

The Central Government yesterday mentioned that full statehood rights cannot be given to Delhi Government unless there is a general consensus in the country on the issue as it is the national capital.

"Whenever there will be a general consensus in the country on giving full statehood status to the national capital, it is possible. But till that is not done, full statehood rights cannot be given to the state government," Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said.

He mentioned that the controversy over exercise of power between the centre and the state government would lead to "offices being shut down." The Home Ministry issued a notification to avoid this commotion.

"If there is confusion, then offices will be locked. And to ensure offices are not shut, it is the Centre's responsibility to clarify and Home Ministry has fulfilled that responsibility by issuing a classificatory notification to make it clear what rights rest with the Centre and what with the elected government," he said.

The controversy over appointment of officers between the Lt. Governor and the Chief minister have made Delhites to a long demanding wait for good governance from elected government.

"The elected government should strive and the public is waiting for 100 days that within the domain of those rights, it initiates steps to provide governance in Delhi," he said.

The Minister said that according to the constitution, Delhi is a union territory and the union territories are under the centre. Delhi and Puducherry have been given some special status as they have elected governments.