Former assistant legal advisor Manish Gaur, who was recently transferred to the education department for reportedly advising the AAP Government against the wishes of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on the proposed new circle rates, has once again been transferred. This time, he has been directed to report to services department. Gaur was transferred from education to law department on October 21.
Interestingly, in an order issued on Wednesday, the services department has cancelled its order dated October 21, transferring Gaur to law department. He has been directed to report to services department till further order.
Top officials told The Pioneer that deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia has himself approved the transfer order of Gaur to the law department. “Gaur has joined law department on Monday but on Wednesday, he was again transferred and directed to report to services department. It is learnt that the Chief Minister has reported to have expressed displeasure over transfer of Gaur despite his directions,” said the sources.
Gaur’s advice had reportedly not gone well with the Chief Minister, who had directed that he be immediately transferred from the law department. Gaur, had been transferred to the education department as he had acted on the advice of his then principal secretary (law) R Kiran Nath, had conveyed to the AAP Government that the new circle rates could not be effected in the city without taking prior approval of lieutenant-Governor Najeeb Jung. Nath had reportedly refused to transfer Gaur on the ground that the officer had only followed her instructions on the proposed circle rates. Gaur was forced to report to the services department after issuance of notices stating that he will have to face disciplinary action if he did not report to services department.
Even Nath had urged the Government to reconsider its decision as he has given his advice at her behest. After his transfer, the legal department was left with only one assistant legal adviser, which is said to have affected the day-to-day functioning of the legal arm of the city administration. The AAP Government has finally transferred the officer back to the legal wing to speed up the clearance of pending files. But the Government has again taken a U-turn by transferring him to the service department.