Polity and Governance of Delhi

Delhi is a Union territory with a Legislative Assembly and a Council of Ministers. Out of the 29 States and 7 Union territories which put together constitute the territory of India; Delhi is the only exception for the governance of which separate provisions have been made in the Constitution. This has been felt necessary because Delhi is the Capital of India and the Central Government cannot therefore abdicate the responsibility in the matter of governance of and control over its own capital.

Constitutionally named as the 'National Capital Territory', Delhi is governed by three sets of instruments. These are:

(i) The Constitution of India (article 239AA and 239AB);

(ii) Law enacted by Parliament to supplement the Constitutional provisions (Government of NCT of Delhi Act); and

(iii) The Rules of Business (viz. (i) the Allocation of Business Rules and (ii) the Transaction of Business Rules.

The core features of Delhi's political and administrative set-up have been incorporated in the Constitution itself. This has been done purposely so as to accord a certain degree of stability and permanency to these arrangements.

**Contents and Sample Pages**