Following Delhi High court’s ruling in favour of the lieutenant-Governor in the Delhi Government’s turf war for the reins of the national Capital, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is set to feel the first jab as Najeeb Jung on Monday directed the heads of all departments to “review” orders and “identify” files for which his approval was required but was not taken by the AAP Government. The l-G also directed that no order in future be issued without approval of the competent authority as per the prevailing constitutional scheme.
Secretary to the l-G Vijay Kumar issued an order to Principal Secretaries, Secretaries and heads of all departments, autonomous bodies, corporations, boards and institutions under the Delhi Government to immediately identify and review all the orders where prior approval of the lG was required but not taken by August 17.
Sources said Jung will hold a review meeting on August 17 on decisions taken by AAP since it took charge in February last year, after winning the Delhi election. All Cabinet decisions and appointments made by the AAP Government are expected to come under the l-G’s scrutiny.
Jung’s move may further strain his relations with Kejriwal who is on a meditation course in a hill station near Dharamsala.
Jung’s letter comes just a few days after the Delhi High Court declared that Delhi continues to be a Union Territory under the Constitution with the lieutenant-Governor as its administrative head.
Not happy with the judgment, AAP Government has moved the Supreme Court.
The order, copy of which was sent to sent to Union Home Secretary, Secretary to Chief Minister, Secretary to Deputy Chief Minister and Chief Secretary of Delhi, said, “Over the last one and half year, orders relating to issue of statutory notifications, conferment, of statutory powers, amendments to Acts/Rules/Statutes, constitutions/re-constitution of various Boards/ Commissions/Corporations/Committees, including appointment of Chairman/members thereof etc have been issued which required prior approval of the competent authority -lieutenant Governor of Delhi under extant Acts/Rules/Guidelines as per prevailing constitutional scheme. Where in some of the said orders prior approval of the lieutenant Governor of Delhi though required was not obtained,” the order said.
“All such cases may immediately be placed with appropriate proposal before the lieutenant Governor through proper channel and with the opinion of the law department, wherever required,” the order said.