Kejriwal to meet LG tomorrow, warns officials against defying government orders

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will meet Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal on Friday, even as the relationship between the AAP dispensation and bureaucrats strained further on Thursday over transfer and posting order.

The chief minister and deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia will meet Lieutenant Governor at 3 pm on Friday to discuss the Supreme Court order, according to an official.

This would be the first meeting between the LG and the chief minister after the apex court order on the power tussle between the city government and the Centre.

Kejriwal warned officers of serious consequences if they did not comply with the city government’s directive on transfers and postings.

“All officers shud respect and obey SC order. Open defiance of SC order shall invite serious consequences. It will be in noone’s interest (sic),” Kejriwal tweeted.

Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia tweeted, “Have directed again Secretary Services to issue the orders as directed yesterday. Informed the officer that non compliance would lead to contempt of SC and the officer shall face disciplinary proceedings.”

“The Delhi government also explored legal options, including filing contempt petition, against those who refused to comply with the directive,” an official said.

The chief minister wrote to the LG on Thursday, saying ‘services’ matter lies with the Council of Ministers, after bureaucrats refused to follow the AAP government’s order withdrawing powers of transfer and postings from the LG.

On Wednesady, hours after the Supreme Court’s landmark judgement, the government introduced a new system for transfer and postings of bureaucrats, making the chief minister the approving authority.

The services department, however, refused to comply, saying the apex court did not abolish the May 21, 2015, notification of the Ministry of Home Affairs, according to which services matter lies with the lieutenant governor.

The Supreme Court in its landmark judgement on Thursday had said the LG is bound by the elected government’s advice and cannot be an obstructionist.

The chief minister in his letter to the LG said the LG’s concurrence would now not be required on any matter, adding all stakeholders need to work towards implementing the apex court’s order in “letter and spirit”.

Kejriwal wrote, “We seek your (L-G’s) support for the development of Delhi, for implementing public welfare schemes and for the implementation of the Supreme Court (order). We plan to issue orders tomorrow to all functionaries of Delhi government on the above lines.”

“It is clear... that Central government/LG have executive powers only on three subjects. On all other subjects, executive powers lay with the COM (Council of Ministers),” he said.

The MHA’s notification has become infructuous in light of such clear orders of the apex court, the chief minister said, adding the court judgement became effective the moment it was pronounced.

Earlier in the day, the chief minister requested all stakeholders to implement the court order on distribution of powers between the Delhi government and the LG, and said the verdict had clearly demarcated the areas of power sharing.

Meanwhile, Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari said there has been an unprecedented political logjam in the three years of the AAP government and urged Kejriwal to give up his full statehood demand and work for the people.

Claiming that two crore people were crippled due to lack of proper water and electricity supply and depleted public transport system, the Delhi BJP chief said, “I therefore urge you to give up your demand for full statehood and provide people with adequate supply of water and power.”

(With inputs from agencies)