Arvind Kejriwal at loggerheads with LG Jung, urges him to reconsider removal of DERC chief

The Delhi government is at loggerheads with the Lt Governor once again as Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal urged Lt Governor Najeeb Jung on September 23 to review his decision of removing Krishna Saini as chairperson of Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) in public interest. He claimed that the AAP government followed proper procedures during the selection process. 

In his 27-page note to Jung, Kejriwal said cancelling the appointment of Saini will only lead to "serious problems" for the power sector and adverse impact on the consumers which could not been the "intention" of the Lt Governor. The Delhi Chief Minister has also offered to meet Jung personally and request him to revoke scrapping of appointment of Saini as the chairman of power regulator body. In the note, Kejriwal cited Transaction of Business Rules (TBR) and said all laid down rules were followed by the Delhi government while appointing Saini.

"The entire selection process was conducted in a fair and transparent manner and in full conformity with law while bearing public interest in mind. There is not an iota of mala fide, bias or other irregularity in the process," Kejriwal said in the note.

The LG's office had on Monday said Saini was appointed to the top post of Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) in March without Jung's approval, as mandated under rules and procedures. 

The Delhi CM said that since the AAP government has challenged the High Court order stamping the primacy of LG in the city administration, the matter is sub-judice and it would be appropriate to await the final orders of the Supreme Court. 

The Kejriwal government had constituted a Selection Committee to appoint the Chairman of DERC this year. The CM said that the committee was headed by a retired High Court Judge and included the Chairman, Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) and the Chief Secretary as Members.