Uneasy truce between Kejriwal, Jung

Delhi govt and L-G have decided to allow status quo to exist even as both seem to be waiting for each other to make a move

There seems to be an uneasy truce between the Arvind Kejriwal-led government in Delhi and Lt Governor, Najeeb Jung. The government hasn’t responded to a complaint by bureaucrat Shakuntala Gamlin to the Lt Governor; Industries Minister Satyendra Jain alone has denied Gamlin’s charges.

Gamlin, principal secretary (power & industry), had accused the industries minister of exerting pressure on her over conversion of industrial plots from leasehold to freehold, which she had refused, as the subject of land is under the L-G’s jurisdiction.

Sources said the Delhi government was yet to forward files on the transfers and appointments of various bureaucrats to the L-G. Last week, the high court here had directed the government to forward all its decisions in this regard to the L-G for his “consideration”.

The L-G and the government have announced several appointments and transfers. Clarity on these is expected once the files are submitted to the L-G.

Recently, Anindo Majumdar, principal secretary, was caught in the middle of a tussle, finding himself locked out of his office. While the L-G reiterated he continued to hold the post of services secretary, the government removed him and appointed him chairman and managing director of Delhi Finance Corporation. No final decision has been taken in his case, as well as those of nine other officers.

Recently, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia had said the government had full power over delegating responsibilities and would soon come out with a list of guidelines to be followed by bureaucrats working for the Delhi government.

However, government sources said, "There is no need for guidelines. There are rules of conduct for officers and they are aware of that."

That the Delhi government has of late irked officers from the Central services is an open secret. It appears that the government would not want to rile them unnecessarily.

According to recent court orders, the government would now need to forward all these appointment files to the LG. All eyes will now be on the decision taken by the LG on these appointments and transfers - would it spell another round of confrontation remains to be seen.