‘If files are delayed, L-G should fix accountability’
NEWDELHI: The Aam Aadmi Party on Thursday again targeted lieutenant governor (L-G) Anil Baijal for delay in clearing files of proposals by the government.
During his 2018-19 budget presentation, Sisodia, who is also the finance minister of Delhi, announced several welfare projects but added these plans would be i mplemented after t he approval of L-G Baijal.
In his 100-minute long speech, the deputy CM mentioned L-G’S name at least 16 times and on 12 occasions. Sisodia said that work would start on a project and a particular scheme will be implemented after the L-G’S approval.
“Hopefully, honourable lieutenant governor will also approve this scheme of government for poor students,” Sisodia said as he proposed a ‘Fixed Deposit Scheme’ for students belonging to SC, ST, OBC, and minorities.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government and Baijal have been at loggerheads with each other over the delay in clearance of several government’s projects.
“In the entire democratic proc- ess, there is a post of the L-G. But there is no mention as to how many times he returns the files and rejects them on fictitious grounds. If files are delayed, responsibility of officers and ministers should be fixed. As the L-G is also part of the democracy, there should also be a record of his works,” Sisodia said, while presenting government’ first outcome budget on Tuesday.
On Wednesday, the L-G’S ‘rejection’ of the government’s flagship doorstep delivery of ration scheme and the decision to stall the use of electronic point of sale machines in fair price shops became another flashpoint between L-G and government.
Baijal has asked the Delhi government to refer the proposal to the Centre, even as chief minister Arvind Kejriwal hit back by saying no such reference was required according to law.
In December, the government has blamed Baijal for rejecting the proposal of doorstep delivery of public services project. Baijal’s office, however, denied the charge and clarified that the proposal was “not rejected” but, instead, sent back to be “reconsidered” in its present form.
When Baijal rejected the proposal of DTC bus fare reduction in January, it became the first flashpoint between the government and L-G.