AAP government takes U-turn on Najeeb Jung approval claims

After persistent claims that no approval was required from lieutenant-governor Najeeb Jung for transfers and postings of bureaucrats, the AAP government has now said ap-proval of Raj Niwas was mandatory even for suspe-nsion of an ad hoc Danics officer as prescribed under the rules to avoid adverse comments at a later stage.

The government’s change of stance came to light in a communication written by its vigilance department special secretary V.S. Rawat in connection with the suspension of a Danics officer in the transport department. The officer was suspended in connection with issuing of 973 letter of interests to auto drivers in violation of guidelines.

In his letter to all the principal secretaries and heads of departments, Mr Rawat said: “It is to inform that in a matter of an officer, the order of treatment of period of suspension was issued by the concerned department itself, without the approval of the competent authority in that case i.e. Lt. Governor, Delhi. (He) has taken a serious view in the matter. It is, therefore, requested to ensure that orders are essentially got approved by the competent authority prescribed under the rules, to avoid adverse comments/ consequences at a later date.”

After Mr Rawat’s communication to the HoDs, the AAP government again on its own slashed salaries of two of its officers, placed under suspension for not signing a Cabinet note on the ground that such powers were not vested with them. The Union government is the cadre-controlling authority of the bureaucrats in Delhi. And the Centre operates in Delhi through the lieutenant-governor only.

The AAP government’s first year in office had been marked with one controversy after another due to trust deficit exhibited by chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and his Cabinet colleagues towards their bureaucrats over their decision-making on a host of contentious issues. The latest communication by Mr Rawat will open up a major debate in bureaucratic circles as to whether the orders issued by the city government without prior approval of Raj Niwas could be implemented in letter and spirit or they would need to proceed only after getting them approved from the lieutenant-governor.

The divide between the AAP government and the bureaucracy reached its peak when the Danics officers recently proceeded on a day’s leave in protest against the suspension of two special secretaries in the home department. Even IAS officers joined their protest by proceeding on a half-day leave.

The city for the first time saw its ministers directing junior officers to directly report to them by bypassing concerned secretaries and principal secretaries. Also, for the first time, PWD engineer-in-chief Sarvagya Srivastava was given charge of the PWD secretary — the post generally held by only senior bureaucrats.

The AAP government had also tried to promote Danics officers over senior IAS bureaucrats. Once the government started having differences with the Danics officers, it then started promoting DASS cadre personnel.

The differences between the government and its bureaucrats started when chief minister Arvind Kejriwal humiliated his principal secretary (power) Shakuntala D. Gamlin in a public meeting by levelling allegations against her. The officer even complained to the L-G that she was being pressured by the CM’s principal secretary and city minister Satyendar Jain.

The AAP government transferred senior IAS officer Anindo Majumdar from the services department for issuing order for the acting chief secretary as per the instructions of the L-G and for acting against the wishes of the CM. The officer was humiliated by disallowing him to enter office, which was locked up by the administration.

It is learnt that senior bureaucrat Arvind Ray was transferred and humiliated for issuing transfer and posting orders of senior officers of the Delhi police as per the approval of the L-G. The officer was targeted for reportedly acted against the wishes of the CM.

Senior IAS officer Dharampal was transferred for issuing transfer and posting of a joint commissioner of ACB as per approval of the competent authority, but against the wishes of the CM. The government even appointed principal secretary Rajendra Kumar as the home secretary. At that time, Mr Dharampal was the principal secretary (home). This was the first occasion when two IAS officers were discharging the duties of the head of the home wing.

IAS officer Geetanjali Gupta was transferred from the post of the transport commissioner to a lower rank in the Delhi State Services Selection Board, which is generally manned by junior bureaucrats.