All is not well between the lieutenant Governor and the Delhi Government as there are indications of strained ties between the two important arms of the Government of National Capital Territory (GNCT) of Delhi. Seeds of distrust were sown between the lieutenant Governor and the Arvind Kejriwal Government after they appointed Sanjeev Nandan Sahai as the Acting Chief Secretary of Delhi on February 28. The decision of Kejriwal Government was frowned upon by lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung, who sought an explanation from the Arvind Kejriwal Government in this regard. This development took place soon after Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal wrote to Jung seeking greater role in police, public law and land-related issues.
According to sources, lieutenant Governor has cited business transaction rules of the NCT Delhi Act that defined Government in Delhi means lieutenant Governor. A terse note was sent to the Delhi Government’s two senior officials, including Principal Secretary (Services), and sought comments from them. The two Delhi Government officials reported to have given a detailed reply, citing present circumstances and development in the Government. Taking a serious note, lieutenant Governor had advised those at the helm to desist from such practices in the future as any such order would be against the laid down rules regulations. Sources said that after realising the gravity of the faux pas, the city Government sought to clarify its position as the lieutenant Governor had asked the Principal Secretary (Services) to explain the conduct. Orders for the appointment of Sahai as acting Chief Secretary were issued by the office of Principal Secretary (Services).
According to sources, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia reportedly made a noting on the file that the Raj Niwas has been deliberately interfering in day-to-day functioning of the elected Government. Sources said that Raj Niwas has reported to have again reminded the State Government, citing the Business Transaction Rules and Article 239 and designated as such under Article 239AA of the Constitution, is defined as “Government” in the National Capital Territory of Delhi according to a 2002 order of the Home Ministry.
It might be noted that the appointment of Chief Secretary in Delhi mired in long tussle between the Centre and AAP Government led by Arvind Kejriwal over the choice of the senior IAS, which culminated in the appointment of KK Sharma as the Chief Secretary.
The confrontation between the Raj Niwas and Delhi Government has escalated after Kejriwal assumed the charge of Delhi Chief Minister. Kejriwal had earlier written to lieutenant Governor that all files related to reserved subjects of police, public order and land be routed through him. A day before Kejriwal’s missive to Jung, a circular was issued by general administration department to all the Principal Secretaries of the Delhi Government that all files marked to the lG, except those pertaining to parole, should be routed through the CMO.
Reacting on the issue, former Delhi Minister Haroon Yusuf said that the Congress Government had performed well under the same existing system. “The Arvind Kejriwal Government doesn’t believe in rule or system. They are deliberately creating mess in the system. How could they make any appointment without consulting with Raj NiwasIJ” he asked.
In the recent confrontation, Delhi Government has refused to release grant in aids to two municipal bodies despite having funds over Rs1,800 crore in the non-Plan head in the fiscal year ended on March 31. Interestingly, the Arvind Kejriwal Government has decided to release the funds of the first quarter in the current fiscal year to MCD only after March 31. The release is routine thing but AAP Government is trying to picture it as special package to MCD.