Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has directed all Principal Secretaries/ Secretaries/Head of Departments (HoDs) to apprise their respective Ministers about the details of all the meetings that they would be attending with the lieutenant-Governor’s office and the Union Home Ministry.
The Delhi Cabinet had recently passed a resolution to this effect that gained significance as Raj Niwas had earlier secured 400-odd files from the Delhi Government where lieutenant-Governor Najeeb Jung’s consent or approval had not been taken since February 15, 2015.
The resolution said, “The Cabinet directs all secretaries that whenever they are summoned by the l-G, they should keep their Ministers informed in writing. This will enable the concerned Ministers to carry out the directions of the l-G and in case of a difference of opinion, the Minister should meet the l-G and present his view point to Jung and in case of differences of opinions Para 3 of Transaction of Business Rules will apply.”
The resolution stated that the role, functions and powers of the l-G vis-à-vis the elected Government of Delhi was under active consideration of the Supreme Court and final hearing of the matter has been fixed for November 15. “The Cabinet noted that neither the Constitution nor the GNCTD Act 1991 or the Transaction of Business Rules made there under confer any sanctity or locus on appointment of such a committee or its examination of the current files of the GNCTD.”
Delhi Home Minister Satyendra Jain issued an order, stating that Principal Secretaries, Secretaries and Heads of all the departments should report the deliberations and discussions they will be holding in Raj Niwas, MHA, other Ministries and organisations of the Union Government so that action can be taken as per decisions taken in such meetings to avoid any delay in implementing and executing important schemes.
In a note signed on September 23 Jain said, “However even after lapse of one month, no such report has been submitted by any of the officers despite the fact that they have been attending the Office of the l-G and other offices of the Government of India as reported widely in press. In view of the above it is once again reiterated that the instructions dated August 23, 2016 are to be followed scrupulously so as to enable the Government to take immediate action on the decisions taken in such meetings in a time bound manner and to avoid discomfort to the general public.”
The copy of the said order was also sent to Secretary of the l-G, Additional Secretary to CM and all OSDs to the Minister and the departments under him. Earlier this month, Jain had alleged that the l-G was “terrorising officials” by telling them not to report for work.