How can govt function when officers don’t obey ministers, asks Kejriwal

CM REACTS Says Supreme Court order against the tenets of democracy

NEWDELHI: The Supreme Court ,in its verdict on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government versus the Centre case, on Thursday referred the matter of transfer and posting of Delhi government officials (services) to a larger bench, while allowing the centre to stake claim on the anti-corruption branch in Delhi. The judgment, which came on the fourth anniversary of the AAP government, was a big blow to chief minister Arvind Kejriwal who termed the verdict “an injustice to Delhi and its people”.

Speaking to reporters, a seemingly emotional Kejriwal said the only hope for the AAP government now is the upcoming Lok Sabha election, where the party is going to make full statehood its key poll plank.

“How will the government function if officers do not obey ministers? The solution now lies with the people of Delhi. I appeal to the people of Delhi to make AAP win all seven Lok Sabha seats. We will force the government at the Centre to give full statehood to Delhi,” he said.

Kejriwal, who is also the AAP convener, said the SC order went against the tenets of democracy and is against the Constitution. He added that the Delhi government will seek legal remedies and will speak to its lawyers on whether to appeal against the judgment or not.

“If a government can’t even transfer its officers, how is it supposed to function? The verdict is such that the party that has 67 of 70 seats in Delhi doesn’t have any control over officers, but the party (BJP) that won only three seats has been given these rights,” he said.

The division of powers between the Delhi government and the lieutenant-governor, who is chosen by the Centre, has been a bone of contention between the AAP government and the Bjp-ruled Centre.

After the Supreme Court verdict of July 4 last year, which had given the Delhi government an upper hand in all subjects of governance, other than land, police and law and order, the AAP was hopeful that clarity on the issue of services would expedite its development works.

But, the chief minister said the SC’S Thursday order was “unfortunate”, even as he maintained that the government would continue to fight the case. “We have been suffering for the last four years. I and three of my cabinet colleagues had to do a 10-day hunger strike at the L-G’S office to get files cleared. We cannot set up mohalla clinics because the government cannot appoint good officers or transfer inefficient ones. How can we set up schools or mohalla clinics if officers do not pick up calls of ministers? What sort of democracy is it?” Kejriwal said.

The apex court also upheld the Centre’s notification that its employees cannot be probed in corruption cases by the ACB of the Delhi government. To this, the chief minister said the ACB has been with Delhi government for 40 years. “But now it is not. So, what do I do when someone comes to the CM to complain about a corrupt officer? Do I urge the BJP to take action against the complainant? How can the elected government function only with ministers?” Kejriwal said.

The chief minister said the SC verdict means nothing for the government as the key issue of services continues to be with the Centre. He also said the powers given to AAP government are not even 10% of that enjoyed by his predecessor, Sheila Dikshit’s government.