The Delhi Government has issued a circular asking principal secretaries and HODs to not send files to the Chief Secretary as he does not have the decision making powers.

The circular further states that if there was a need to send the files to lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung, prior permission has to be sought from Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

The AAP Government has also warned that if any officials violate the orders, it would be dealt with strictly. The Government has also tried to clarify that Government means elected Government not the l-G.  Top sources told The Pioneer that the Kejriwal Government has received information and reports that secretaries and HODs of several departments are deliberately sending files to chief secretary for comments.

The Kejriwal Government in its Cabinet meeting on September 15, reiterated its earlier order directing officials that they need not to get the approval from chief secretary for any proposal. They should take approval from the concerned Ministers as they have decision making powers, it said. 

A circular to this effect has been issued again on September 23 to all departments. Interestingly, the circular is being reissued despite the fact that matter pertaining to supremacy of power between the Delhi Government and the l-G is sub-judice.

“Delhi Cabinet in its meeting on September 15, 2015, reiterated its earlier cabinet order dated May 17, 2015 issued to all Principal   Secretaries/ Secretaries/HoDs under the signature of the chief minister and the order dated May 18 issued by Deputy Chief Minister and similar orders were issued by the ministers through General Administrative Department to ensure that the Government business in undertaken in accordance with the said orders (May 17-18, 2015). It has been seen that some secretaries and HODs are violating these orders. Any violation would be deemed to be an act of insubordination and dealt with strictly,” said the circular issued by Principal Secretary (GAD) Arvind Ray. 

Kejriwal had issued an order dated May 17, 2015, in this direction.

Similarly deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia had issued an order dated May 18, saying, “If any paper relating to any proposal or matter in any department is requisition by the chief secretary under Rule 19 (4) of the transaction of business rule, the administrative secretary should comply with such request. However, the chief secretary can not issue any direction directly in respect to any proposal or matter in any department since the minister in charge of the department is primarily responsible for the disposal of the business pertaining to that department under the transaction of business rule.