l-G annuls CM's order shifting Principal Secy
A full-blown war erupted on Saturday between Delhi lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal with both challenging each other’s authority over the administration following a bitter confrontation on the appointment of the acting Chief Secretary for 10 days.
Hours after senior bureaucrat Shakuntala Gamlin took charge as the acting Chief Secretary despite being asked not to do so by Kejriwal, the fight flared up as he shot off a strongly-worded letter to Jung, asking him to work “within the confines” of Constitution, alleging that he was trying to take over the administration.
The lieutenant Governor hit back at Kejriwal blaming him for the delay in appointment of the acting Chief Secretary and revoked Kejriwal’s order transferring Principal Secretary (Services ) Arindam Majumdar, who issued the appointment letter to Gamlin at the instructions from Jung.
After Kejriwal’s letter, Jung said he has “acted fully conscious of his duties and responsibilities under the Constitution of India. Till date not a single action taken by the lt-Governor’s Secretariat is in non-conformity with the provisions of the Constitution.” A release issued by Jung’s office said the Chief Minister was duly consulted on the issue of appointment of the acting Chief Secretary and added the relevant note-sheet was in public domain. The delay on the part of the Chief Minister of over 40 hours necessitated a direction from the lt-Governor that orders be issued. “It is a given fact that the office of the Chief Secretary cannot be left vacant. The Chief Secretary is required not just for normal work but for any emergency that may come up. The lt-Governor’s Secretariat regrets the insinuation against a respected senior civil servant and the complaint will be examined as per procedure,” the l-G said.