Previous Year Question

The 69th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1991, granted Delhi the special constitutional status of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. This amendment inserted Articles 239AA and 239AB into the Constitution.

Article 239AA provides special provisions for Delhi. It established an elected Legislative Assembly and a Council of Ministers and designated its administrator as the Lieutenant Governor.

The Delhi Legislative Assembly has the power to legislate on most subjects in the State List and Concurrent List. However, subjects such as public order, police and land are excluded from its legislative powers.

Article 239AB deals with the failure of constitutional machinery in the National Capital Territory of Delhi. Under specified circumstances, the President may make special arrangements for the administration of Delhi.

The 69th Constitutional Amendment Act was enacted on 21 December 1991, and its relevant provisions came into effect on 1 February 1992.

Difference from the 70th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992: This amendment provided for the inclusion of elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of Delhi and Puducherry in the electoral college for the election of the President. It was not the amendment that granted Delhi the status of National Capital Territory.