No communication from LGO to lock DCW chief office: official

A Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) official on Thursday clarified to Swati Maliwal that no instructions were received from the lieutenant governor secretariat to lock her office or remove her name-plate. Maliwal, however, said she was waiting for a communication from the government to resume charge. Earlier in the day, Maliwal had said her office had been locked but hours later it was found open though her name plate was removed. She also said all the files had been taken away from her office.  After the L-G office denied charges that such a communication had been issued by it, Maliwal asked an administrative official whether L-G office had called or not and on whose directive the name plates were removed? Responding to her queries, DCW Member Secretary Archna Arora said no such directions were received from the L-G secretariat and the DCW chief’s office was locked out of routine practice.

"I had checked with the Assistant Secretary in DCW who has categorically stated that no communications were received from any office to lock up your office. No instructions were issued from any officer in the LG secretariat on any issue," Arora said in her letter.

"It is usual practice with some officers that offices are locked up in their absence. This morning I came to office to check regarding locking of your office and found that it was done only as a routine practice.

"It has been clarified that there were some spelling mistakes on the name plates, therefore, probably some official removed the name-plates," she added.

Arora maintained that a call was received from LG office only to inform that the appointment notification has no legal sanctity.

Responding to the letter, Mailwal said during a press conference, "a call was received from LG office, we were asked not to sign files, office was locked, name plates were removed... Message was clear that when we cannot sign files we will not be doing any kitty party there."

Maliwal is the wife of Aam Aadmi Party leader Navin Jaihind and has been an advisor to Kejriwal on public grievances and handles his Janta Samwad. She has been associated with the AAP chief since India Against Corruption (IAC) days.

Jung had on Tuesday rejected the appointment of Maliwal, handpicked by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, saying his approval had not been sought on it.