Taking a complete u-turn from its order issued on Friday last, the Arvind Kejriwal Government on Monday restored the ‘clipped’ wings of Principal Secretary (Home) SN Sahai after ‘realising its mistake’.
Sahai had reportedly defended Yashpal Garg and Subhash Chandra, the two Special Secretaries in the Home Department who were suspended by the city Government. And till now there is no rectification in the order pertaining to Garg and Chandra as they come to office regularly but the Government has not assigned any work to them.
According to sources, the AAP Government is still treating these two officials as suspended despite Ministry of Home Affairs’ order declaring their suspension non est (does not exist) and illegal.
Top sources told The Pioneer that the allocation of business rules has categorically stated that the Delhi Government has no power to issue any directions that comes under Centre subject. The Minister’s order was illegal as Home comes under Centre’s subject.
Modifying the order, Home Minister Satyendra Jain said Deputy Secretary (Home IV) shall put up the parole case to Principal Secretary/Secretary (Home). In other words, Deputy Secretary (Home IV) has been directed to put up files or cases pertaining to parole to Principal Secretary /Secretary.
As per earlier instructions, Deputy Secretaries who are looking into State subject matter such as Delhi fire services, licensing, jail, internal security and others.
The Home Minister has distributed a list with 42 subjects -including prosecution, internal security, criminal law and others - among junior officials and asked them to report directly to him, not the Home Secretary, on these issues. lieutenant-Governor Najeeb Jung, under the MHA, also claims jurisdiction on some of these issues.
The list also includes magisterial inquiries and enquiry commissions. This is significant as the Delhi Government and the MHA are embroiled in a tussle over whether the Commission of Enquiry probing alleged irregularities in the DDCA is constitutionally valid.
Sources said the provisions of manual of office procedures being followed by both Centre and State Government officials which in its chapter three categorically stated that Secretary to the Government of India is the administrative head of a Ministry or Department.