The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is said to have conveyed to lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung to keep performing as per the norms and not yield to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s demands related to functioning of the city police and the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) in the national Capital. There are indications that the Ministry has told the lieutenant Governor that he could consult the Chief Minister only in matters related to the State Government.
A highly-placed source said that since the Delhi Police and the DDA come under the direct control of the Centre, there was no binding on the lG to discuss any internal matter related to these organisations with the Chief Minister. The Home Ministry is said to have conveyed its concern to the lieutenant Governor following reports that sharp differences had cropped up between Jung and Kejriwal after the AAP Government appointed Sanjeev Nandan Sahai as the acting Chief Secretary of Delhi on February 28. The AAP Government’s decision did not go well with Jung, who in turn had sought an explanation on the issue from the administration. This development took place after Kejriwal had written to the lG seeking greater role in police, public law and land related issues.
The source said that the Raj Niwas had cited business transaction rules of the NCT Delhi Act that clearly defined Government in Delhi “means lieutenant Governor”. A terse note sent to the Delhi Government’s two senior officials, including Principal Secretary (Services), sought their comments on the matter. The two officers are said to have given a detailed reply, citing present circumstances and other developments in the Government.
The lieutenant Governor is also said to have advised those at the helm to desist from such practices in the future as any such order would be against the laid down rules regulations. The source said that having realised the gravity of the faux pas, the city Government sought to clarify its position as the lieutenant Governor had asked the Principal Secretary (Services) to explain the conduct. The orders for the appointment of Sahai as the acting Chief Secretary were issued by the office of Principal Secretary (Services). Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia is learnt to have made a noting on the file that the Raj Niwas has been deliberately interfering in the day-to-day functioning of the elected Government. The Raj Niwas is said to have again reminded the State Government, citing the Business Transaction Rules and Article 239 and designated as such under Article 239AA of the Constitution, is defined as “Government” in the National Capital Territory of Delhi according to a 2002 order of the Home Ministry.
