MHA tells L- G: Don’t yield to Kejri demands
The Union home ministry is said to have advised lieutenant- governor Najeeb Jung to keep performing as per the norms and do not yield to chief minister Arvind Kejriwal’s demands related to functioning of the local police and the DDA in the national capital.
There are indications that the ministry has told the LG that he could consult the chief minister only in matters related to the state government. A highly- placed source said that since the Delhi police and the DDA come under the direct control of the Centre, there was no reason for the L- G to discuss any internal matter related to these organisations with the chief minister.
The Union home ministry is said to have conveyed its concern to the lieutenantgovernor following reports that sharp differences had cropped up between Mr Jung and Mr Kejriwal after the AAP government appointed Sanjeev Nandan Sahai as the acting chief secretary of Delhi on February 28. The AAP government’s decision did not go well with Mr Jung, who in turn had sought an explanation on the issue from the administration. This development took place after Mr Kejriwal had written to the lieutenantgovernor, seeking greater role in police, public law and land- related issues.
The source said that the Raj Niwas had cited business transaction rules of the NCT Delhi Act that clearly defined the government in Delhi “means lieutenant- governor.” A terse note sent to the Delhi government’s two senior officials, including principal secretary ( services), sought their comments on the matter. The two officers are said to have given a detailed reply, citing present circumstances and other developments in the government.
The L- G is also said to have advised those at the helm to desist from such practices in the future as any such order would be against the laid- down rules and regulations. The source said that having realised the gravity of the faux pas the city government sought to clarify its position as the lieutenantgovernor had asked the principal secretary ( services) to explain the conduct. The orders for the appointment of Mr Sahai as the acting chief secretary were issued by the office of principal secretary ( services).
Deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia is learnt to have made a noting on the file that the Raj Niwas has been deliberately interfering in the day- to- day functioning of the elected government. The Raj Niwas is said again reminded the state government, citing the Business Transaction Rules and Article 239 and designated as such under Article 239AA of the Constitution, that his office is defined as the “government” in the National Capital Territory of Delhi, according to a 2002 order of the Union home ministry.