The Delhi Government’s Vigilance Department has finally made it clear that even for suspension of an officer approval of Raj Niwas as prescribed under the rules was mandatory to avoid adverse comments at a later stage.
In other words, the Vigilance Department has conceded that lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung is the competent authority.
In his letter to all the Principal Secretaries, Secretaries and Heads of Departments, Special Secretary (Vigilance) VS Rawat has said, “It is to inform that in a matter of an officer, the order of treatment of period of suspension was issued by the concerned department itself, without the approval of the competent authority in that case i.e. lt.Governor, Delhi. The l-G has taken a serious view in the matter. It is, therefore, requested to ensure that orders are essentially got approved by the competent authority prescribed under the rules, to avoid adverse comments/consequences at a later date.”
Some looked at the development as a routine matter while some interpreted that Rawat’s letter is in concurrence that the letter issued from Raj Niwas pertaining to suspension of two special secretaries of Home Department wherein the Delhi Government has been warned not to issue punishment /disciplinary proceeding against IAS/DANICS officers.
The AAP Government has been persistently advocating that no approval was required from the l-G as the competent authority is the Delhi Government.