Vinai Kumar Saxena appointed LG of Delhi

Sweta Goswami and Pathak

Maulik

NEW DELHI/AHMEDABAD: Vinai Kumar Saxena, who worked in the private sector for three decades before heading the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) of the central government for six years, was named as the new lieutenant governor of Delhi on Monday.

Saxena, 64, will replace former civil servant Anil Baijal, who headed Delhi’s government for five years before resigning for “personal reasons” last week at a time when the city’s elected government and the Centre are locked in a battle over delayed municipal polls and the scrapping of a flagship scheme.

“The President of India has been pleased to appoint Vinai Kumar Saxena to be the Lt. Governor of National Capital Territory of Delhi with effect from the date he assumes charge of his duties,” read a statement issued by Ajay Kumar Singh, the President’s press secretary. The official further stated that Kovind accepted Baijal’s resignation, who remained in the post for five years and four months.

Saxena, who will report to the Union home ministry, will directly oversee issues related to land, services and law and order, which come under the purview of the LG and not the Aam Aadmi Party administration. The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Act, 2021, implemented last year, gives primacy to the LG over the elected government in the city.

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal took to Twitter to talk about Baijal and welcome Saxena. “The former L-G Anil Baijal and I worked together in Delhi on several projects and tried to