Suspense Crime Sach Ka Dam
President Droupadi Murmu has approved the Delhi Services Act and Data Protection Act, officially enacting them as laws following their passage through Parliament during the recent monsoon session. The contentious Delhi Services Bill received the Parliament’s endorsement after securing 131 votes in the Rajya Sabha, gaining support from fence-sitter parties like BJD and YSR Congress Party. Subsequently, the Lok Sabha passed the legislation on August 3. Union Home Minister Amit Shah presented the bill in the Upper House to replace a previously promulgated ordinance from May 19. The bill garnered 131 affirmative votes and 102 opposing votes.
Notably, the Government of India introduced the ordinance a week after the Supreme Court handed control of services in Delhi (excluding police, public order, and land) to the elected government. While discussing the bill, Shah emphasized the objective of establishing a “corruption-free administration in Delhi” without contravening the Supreme Court’s ruling.
Shah stated, “Previously, there were no conflicts regarding transfer postings in Delhi, and CMs faced no issues… In 2015, a government emerged after a movement… Some individuals claimed that the Centre aimed to centralize power. However, the Centre does not need to do so, as the Indian people have entrusted us with the authority and privilege,” as reported by news agency ANI.
Digital Personal Data Protection Bill (DPDPB), 2023
Conversely, the Parliament ratified the Digital Personal Data Protection Bill (DPDPB), 2023, on Wednesday, August 9. The Upper House passed the bill through a voice vote, amidst chants by the Opposition. This bill materialized six years after the Supreme Court (SC) established the “Right to Privacy” as a fundamental right.
Ashwini Vaishnaw, the Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology, highlighted that the DPDPB enforces various obligations on both private and government entities concerning the collection and processing of citizens’ data.
