Taking a serious note of DANICS officials getting hike in pay scale by the Delhi Government, lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung has issued a memorandum directing all officials not to draw increased salary as it is declared illegal and void ab initio. Jung has made it clear that if any officer draws increased salary, then strict action will be taken against him. The memorandum is issued by Jung’s secretary SCl Das to Chief Secretary of Delhi, Principal Secretaries of GAD, Vigilance and Services Departments.
The l-G office has directed the Delhi Government to issue this memorandum to all DANICS officers posted in the national Capital. The move by lieutenant Governor’s office was expected as the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had already declared the Delhi Cabinet decision to hike in pay scale as illegal and void ab initio. It is noted that the Arvind Kejriwal Government had decided to reiterate its earlier decision despite the MHA order in this regard. The current memorandum will further escalate the tussle between l-G and Delhi Government.
“Government of India has inter alia conveyed to all the administrative officers of the All India Services, DANICS, HoDs, DDOs and other concerned officers placed with Government of NCT Delhi that “the orders declared illegal by the Government of India should not be complied with. Should any officer choose to do so, both disciplinary action for compliance of illegal orders and recovery of financial loss caused to the Government as a result of such action would follow,” the memorandum said.
It further stated that it is hereby reiterated to all Principal Secretaries, Secretaries, HoDs, DDOs and other concerned officers placed with the Delhi Government that the aforesaid orders declared illegal by the Government of India, should not be complied with. If any action has been taken in this regard, it should be immediately rescinded. Further any officer who disregards the above directives of the Government of India should do so at his own risk and will be liable for appropriate action by the competent authority including disciplinary proceedings and recovery of financial loss incurred as a result of such action.