Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has directed the top brass of the city administration to apprise their respective ministers about the details of all the meetings that they would be attending with the lieutenant-governor’s office and the Union home ministry. The Cabinet had recently passed a resolution to this effect, seeking details of the meetings that the officers would be holding with the Raj Niwas and MHA. The resolution has gained significance as the Raj Niwas had earlier secured 400-odd files from the Delhi government where the L-G’s consent or approval had not been taken since February 15, 2015.
“The Cabinet directs all secretaries that whenever they are summoned by L-G, they should keep their ministers informed in writing. This will enable the concerned ministers to carry out the directions of L-G and in case of a difference of opinion, the minister should meet the L-G and present his view point to the L-G and in case of difference of opinions Para 3 of Transaction of Business Rules will apply.”
In reference to a three-member committee appointed by Raj Niwas to examine the 400-odd files of the Delhi government, the resolution stated that the role, functions and powers of the L-G vis-a-vis the elected government of Delhi was under active consideration of the Supreme Court and final hearing of the matter has been fixed for November 15. “The Cabinet noted that neither the Constitution nor the GNCTD Act 1991 or the Transaction of Business Rules made there under confer any sanctity or locus on appointment of such a committee or its examination of the current files of the GNCTD.”
After Delhi Cabinet resolved that senior officials would have to inform their respective ministers before attending any meeting at Raj Niwas, city home minister Satyendra Jain issued an order, stating that principal secretaries, secretaries and heads of all the departments should report the deliberations and discussions they will be holding in Raj Niwas, MHA, other ministries and organisations of the Union government so that action can be taken as per decisions taken in such meetings to avoid any delay in implementing and executing important schemes and projects.
In a note signed on August 2, Mr Jain said: “However even after lapse of one month, no such report has been submitted by any of the officers despite the fact that they have been attending the office of L-G and other offices of the Government of India as reported widely in press. In view of the above it is once again reiterated that the instructions dated August 23, 2016 are to be followed scrupulously so as to enable the government to take immediate action on the decisions taken in such meetings in a time bound manner and to avoid discomfort to the general public.”
The copy of the said order was also to secretary of L-G, additional secretary to chief minister and all OSDs to the minister and the departments under him.
Earlier this month, Mr Jain had alleged that the L-G was “terrorising officials” by telling them not to report for work.
“The L-G is terrorising officials. Telling them not to work.”
