After the BJP-led Government at the Centre returned 14 Bills to the Delhi Government, the AAP Government refused to accept Union Home Ministry’s order on the appointment of the Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO) in the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC). The AAP Government has instead proposed another officer for the post. According to sources, the AAP Government has reportedly rejected the MHA order appointing Mangesh Kashyap ( DANIPS 1995 batch) as CVO of the SDMC and has instead issued order proposing the name of BR Meena, a 1997 batch IPS officer of UP cadre, for the post.
The argument of Delhi Government is that it had sent a panel of officers including the name of HPS Sran (DANICS officer) and BR Meena to MHA to appoint one of them as CVO. But the MHA did not consider Delhi Government’s panel at all. Instead SDMC proposal to appoint Kashyap as CVO was accepted by MHA and the Ministry has issued orders appointing him as the SDMC CVO. The Delhi Government’s contention is that Kashyap is neither an IPS officer nor senior enough to hold the high-profile post.
The Delhi Government has also issued a note to SDMC stating that it is going to seek clearance of the CVC on the appointment of Meena for the post. Meena’s name, however, did not figure in the SDMC’s list. The SDMC in its list had recommended the name of Mangesh for the post of the CVO.
It was on June 7, that the Union Home Ministry ordered the appointment of DANIPS officer Mangesh Kashyap as the CVO of the SDMC. In an office memorandum, Director (Services) AV Dharma Reddy said, “The undersigned is directed to convey the approval of the Competent Authority for appointing of Shri Mangesh Kashyap, DANIPS, presently in Delhi Police, as the Chief Vigilance Officer in South Delhi Municipal Corporation for a period of three years extendable by another two years with specific concurrence of the Central Vigilance Commission. You are requested to issue appropriate order/notification.”
The copy of the memorandum among others has also been marked to the office of the lieutenant Governor, Delhi Chief Secretary, SDMC Commissioner, Police Commissioner and Director (local Bodies) of the Urban Development Department.
As per the procedure, the MHA clears the name of the CVO and the same is notified by the Delhi Government. The final clearance for the said post is given by the Mayor and the South Delhi Municipal Corporation Appointment Committee.