Rumors are rife in bureaucratic corridors that former Delhi Chief Secretary and 1980 batch IAS officer SK Srivastava stands a strong chance to stage a comeback as Chief Secretary of Delhi. He may be reinstated as CS as reward for the ‘victimisation’ he suffered after being unceremoniously removed during President’s Rule last year.
Srivastava is currently holding the post of chairman of Delhi Finance Commission. Chief Secretary DM Spolia who was due to retire on January 31, got one month extension in view of Assembly polls in the national Capital. There is also strong possibility that Secretary (Department of Urban Development) Rajendra Kumar, who is 1989 batch IAS officer may again join Kejriwal as Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister.
It is coincidence that AAP Government led by Arvind Kejriwal took oath on December 2013 when Spolia was the Chief Secretary. Spolia was shunted out due to his close proximity with the then Congress regime by Kejriwal in his 49-days rule in Delhi. later Spolia was reinstated as Chief Secretary under President’s Rule on August 28, 2014.
Sources said that there is possibility that Srivastava may be reinstated as Delhi’s top bureaucrat by Kejriwal for the ignominy he had suffered after being removed under President’s Rule. According to sources, Srivastava has lobbied hard to get posting in Central Government after removal from Chief Secretary post but Ministries have shown reluctant due to his AAP allegiance.
“Srivastava was perceived as weak and indecisive and was in the habit of coming late for official meetings. His laidback style of functioning was proving to be an impediment for the Delhi Government on key issues,” sources said.
Senior officials of Delhi Government were not happy with his habit of coming late for meetings despite being present in his office at Players Building during his first term as Chief Secretary. Besides, Delhi BJP president Satish Upadhyay had reportedly met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and complained against the “rigid attitude” of certain officials in the city administration.
A senior official said, on condition of anonymity, that his only notable contribution as Chief Secretary was the biometric system installed in all Government offices.