

NEW DELHI: Led by deputy CM Manish Sisodia, Delhi assembly on Wednesday passed a resolution to restore the original powers of the anti-corruption branch (ACB).

In July 2014, shortly after BJP came to power at the Centre, the home minister passed an executive order curtailing ACB's powers. Under Wednesday's resolution, the state government has challenged the Centre's order and decided to allow it to function according to the original mandate.

The three BJP MLAs staged a walkout during the vote. MLA Vijender Gupta said such a resolution had no sanctity and BJP won't support it.

The Centre's order came when Delhi was being administered by the LG. The state government has challenged it on the ground that the Centre had no reason to make amendments and did not have them ratified either.

"Barely two months after BJP formed government at the Centre, the home minister issued a notification saying that the ACB could only investigate Delhi government employees, thereby seriously hampering its work. This was done to protect the interests of an industrialist whom the ACB was investigating. What other reasons will the home minister give for the sudden and inexplicable order," said a senior government official.

In his resolution, Sisodia said the notification was beyond the competence of the Centre. "The people of Delhi have given a historic mandate to eradicate corruption in Delhi. The notification by the home minister has limited the scope of the ACB only to the officers and employees of Delhi government. In other states, ACB has full powers over everything within the state. Why has an exception been made only for Delhi? The ACB was set up in 1993 and the ministry had no reason to tamper with the 21-year-old notification," he said.

The resolution stated: "This House resolves that the government of NCT of Delhi should immediately take up the matter with the ministry of home affairs for immediate withdrawal of the notification dated July 23, 2014. This House further resolves that government of NCT of Delhi shall function as per its original mandate against corruption as it existed prior to the Notification dated 23rd July, 2014 and continue with its anti corruption efforts as it was functioning prior to the said Notification."

