200 Delhi govt officials shun work to protest suspension of 2 colleagues

At least 200 senior bureaucrats of the Delhi government went on a day's protest leave here on Thursday over the suspension of two officials.

The decision was taken by the members of the Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands Civil Service Officers' Association (DANICS) to protest the suspension of two senior colleagues.

Subhash Chandra, special secretary (Prisons) and Yashpal Garg, special secretary (Prosecution), were suspended by Delhi's Aam Aadmi Party government for allegedly refusing to sign on two cabinet notes.

Delhi Home Minister Satyendra Jain said he had no information about the strike. "Suspension is an administration matter, a cabinet decision was failed to be implemented," Jain said.

He also criticised Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung for "directing" officials not to work. "Officers can't tell me 'L-G has asked us not to work'. The L-G should have passed a written order," Jain said.

"L-G has power to stay some orders, but a blanket order saying no order of Delhi government is to be seen through, won't be followed," he said.

Delhi Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Satish Upadhyay also condemned the suspension of the two officers, saying it was harassing officials and demanded Jain's resignation.

"The suspension of two special secretaries is completely a wrong administrative decision. BJP strongly opposes such harassment of officials and demands Jain's resignation," he said.

He alleged the home minister was pressurising officials under his ministry to sign a file pertaining to the revision of pay scale of its standing counsel Rahul Mehra.

"When the officers refused to sign the file regarding the unconstitutional hike in pay and allowances, Jain not only insulted the officers but also suspended them," he said.