Delhi bureaucracy has heaved a sigh of relief after the exit of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Government led by Arvind Kejriwal. The very unconventional style of governance and unpredictable way of functioning of Kejriwal Government had added to confusion over rank and file. A senior bureaucrat on condition of anonymity said that there is a big sense of relief in the corridors of power after AAP quit from Delhi over the controversial Delhi Jan lokpal Bill.
One of the major provisions in the Jan lokpal Bill which came as a top irritant amongst the officials was that higher the post greater the penalty or punishment which had triggered a constant fear not only through the bureaucrats but their family as well. “We were a threatened lot even when we did our work sincerely. For instance, now since the AAP Government has gone making no budgetary provision for power and water subsidy, consumers will catch and make us accountable. Where do we bring the finance to support his populist measuresIJ We cautioned the Cabinet against such measures without budgetary provisions,” said a top Delhi Government officer who participated in almost all the Cabinet decisions of the Kejriwal Government.
Fearing a “trap” by any element, bureau heads of all Delhi Government departments have raised strong objections to the working style of the Kejriwal Government last week and had expressed their desire to leave the GNCTD Government as the AAP Government has raised doubts over credibility of even top officials. According to sources, most of the bureaucrats have lined their request at Home Ministry looking for postings outside the national Capital. Another senior bureaucrat said on the condition of anonymity that Kejriwal Government does not trust on bureaucracy and it would become impossible to work under such a system. For instance, sources said the police officer handpicked by Kejriwal to head Delhi’s anti-corruption unit refused to take up the job, and “thought it wise to opt for a long distance posting rather to be a mean officer confined in Delhi”.
Praveer Ranjan a 1993-batch IPS, from the AGMUT cadre was chosen by Kejriwal to head the anti-corruption unit to which he agreed but soon after few days, perhaps looking at the modus operandi and regular threats by the AAP leaders to tame corruption in a “different style” (like stings etc) Ranjan requested the Union Home Ministry to relieve him from the Delhi Police. He has chosen to move to Puducherry as Inspector General of Police now. The Ministry accepted the request following which many other top Delhi bureaucrats have sounded an alarm bell amongst their elite community.