Delhi Lieutenant-Governor (L-G) Vinai Kumar Saxena has sent a note to Arvind Kejriwal flagging up the fact that files without the Chief Minister's signature were being sent by the Chief Minister Office (CMO) for his opinion and approval. The claim was made amid a tussle between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Government and the office of the L-G over various issues.
In a letter to Kejriwal, the L-G said it should be ensured by CMO that all files sent to him for opinion/ approval, are signed by the Chief Minister.
According to the letter from the L-G to the CM, “a significant number of proposals, as a matter of routine, have been submitted by your office for my approval or for my opinion under the constitution by your Joint Secretary or Additional Secretary, with the remarks ‘Hon ’ble CM has seen and approved the proposal’ without specifying any grounds of urgency warranting such a communication. In this regard, attention is drawn to the Manual of Office Procedure, 2022 which provides that 'in rare and urgent cases’ when the Minister is on tour/is sick and his/her approval has to be taken on telephone, the decision of the Minister shall be conveyed by his/her Private Secretary in writing. In such cases, confirmation shall be obtained on file when the Minister returns to headquarters /rejoins.” “The current practice of submission of files on a routine basis under the signatures of your officials needs to be discouraged /avoided as in the absence of your signature, it is not clear whether the proposal has been seen and approved by you or not.
Further, on receipt of files at the level of the Joint/Additional Secretary from your office, L-G Secretariat is also constrained to communicate my decision at the level of officials,” letter read.“Therefore, in the interest of smooth and effective governance, it may be ensured that proposals, which are submitted by your office for my opinion or approval, as the case may be, should be duly signed by your good self.
I would also like to suggest that your office may consider introducing the e-office system at the earliest so as to enable seamless movement of files,” the letter further read. “Kejriwal has been sending files for consideration, opinion and approval of the L-G without affixing his signatures.
This is a stark departure from the past when such files were duly signed by CMs between 1993 – 2013. Such files apart from being related to administration and governance of the city, also include extremely sensitive matters ,” sources claimed.
“Such files apart from being related to administration and governance of the city, also include extremely sensitive matters. Kejriwal is doing this to distance himself from decisions amounting to corruption, embezzlement and constitutional overreach even as he remains totally involved in these and presides over every decision with full control,” sources alleged.