Government seeks legal view in doorstep ration delivery

New Delhi: The Delhi food department has referred to a file on the ambitious doorstep delivery of ration scheme to the law department, prompting the AAP government to hit out at the Centre and allege that a “game of files” is being played through bureaucrats using a “distorted” interpretation of the Supreme Court’s recent verdict.

The food department referred the file to the law department seeking its opinion, days after all objections in the scheme were “overruled” and was cleared by chief minister Arvind Kejriwal. An official said views of the law department were sought on whether the scheme can be implemented without clearance from the Centre because it comes under the provision of National Food Safety Act.

Reacting to the development, Mr Kejriwal alleged it showed the “complicity” of the officers and the lieutenant-governor (L-G). “This news clearly shows the complicity of the officer and the L-G. It is evident that the officers are being asked to stop working,” he tweeted.

Deputy CM Manish Sisodia said the Centre was resorting to “bullying” by not obeying the Supreme Court’s verdict that empowered the Delhi government to take decisions on subjects other than land, police and public service. He cited the doorstep ration delivery scheme, CCTV camera project and bonus to DSIDC workers which were facing problems due to “obstructions” raised by the bureaucrats. “The Centre on the basis of a notification has kept the services with the LG. This is bullying so that decisions take by us are not implemented because the officers side with them,” he charged.

The SC must be watching how a “mockery” of its judgement is being made by denying government control over services, he said. Mr Sisodia charged the food commissioner of Delhi has “refused” to implement the doorstep ration delivery scheme. “He says that he will consult law department. A game of files is being played through the commissioners and IAS officers, it said.