There is a possibility of another stand-off between Raj Niwas and the Delhi Government on the issue of acting Chief Secretary (CS) of Delhi as Chief Secretary KK Sharma is going to the United States on a 10-day leave.
Following which the Delhi Government's Services Department has shortlisted four senior-most IAS officials for the post in the absence of Sharma. The final decision will be taken by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia.
It is understood that the Delhi Government is not impressed with the shortlisted candidates and may select another officer as the acting CS. If the Government ignores the selected IAS officers, this could lead to confrontation between Raj Niwas and the Delhi Government, according to sources.
The bureaucrats recommended to the Government by the Services Department are - Naini Jayaseelan (1980 batch), Arvind Ray, Shakuntala D Gamlin and SP Singh (all from 1984 batch). Ray who was earlier holding charge of the Home Department is currently not holding charge of any department. Gamlin is currently the Principal Secretary (Power) while Singh is holding charge of SC/ST/OBC Commission. Jaiyaseelan is holding the charge as the financial commissioner. There is uncertainty among bureaucrats as the AAP Government is yet to take a call on who would be the acting CS.
There was a major controversy over the appointment of the new CS after the retirement of then CS DM Spolia. The AAP Government was keen to get a particular IAS officer appointed as the CS but, the Union Home Ministry had rejected the request on the ground that many senior bureaucrats were opposed to such move. Finally, the Home Ministry had accepted the AAP government's request to appoint Sharma as the CS of Delhi.
Before Sharma took charge, the AAP Government had made Principal Secretary (Finance) SN Sahai of 1986 batch as the acting CS. lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung was reportedly not in favour of getting Sahai appointed as the acting CS. The power to appoint the CS lies with the Union Home Ministry. But the powers for appointment of the acting CS are vested in the lieutenant Governor.
Source said there are chances that the AAP Government may again opt for Sahai as the acting CS of Delhi. "In such a situation, it would be difficult for his seniors to work under him," said the source, adding that the Government could also appoint one of the two 1985-batch officers —Parimal Rai and Janak Digal — as the acting CS. The two officers recently joined the Delhi Government.