Delhi Chief Secretary rejoins duty; shares dais with Gamlin at AAP govt meet

K K Sharma returned from a 10-day leave, during which Kejriwal and Jung found themselves locked in a face-off over the appointment of an acting chief secretary

Delhi Chief Secretary K K Sharma today rejoined duties upon his return from a 10-day leave during which Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Lt Governor Najeeb Jung found themselves locked in a face-off over the appointment of an acting chief secretary.

While Jung had named the Principal Secretary (Power), Shakuntala Gamlin, as acting chief secretary, her appointment was opposed by Kejriwal.

Sharma and Gamlin today shared the dais with the chief minister at the open Cabinet session of Delhi government to mark 100 days in power of the ruling AAP.

Talking to reporters on the sidelines of the programme, Sharma said that the civil service and government were working together and the bureaucracy is committed to achieving the objectives set by Delhi government.

"I was out on personal work and have come back. We are working on the guidelines of Chief Minister... Civil service and government is working together. Civil service is committed to achieving the objectives set by the government of Delhi," he said.

Asked if she was upset over the recent controversy regarding her appointment as the acting chief secretary, Gamlin said "it was the government's decision" and that she "not disappointed".

The confrontation over Gamlin's appointment had turned into a full-blown war between the ruling AAP and the LG last week with Kejriwal alleging that Jung was trying to take over the administration.

Despite Kejriwal's strong opposition, Jung appointed Gamlin to the post whereupon the Chief Minister asked her not to take charge of the post. But she ignored Kejriwal's directive and followed the LG's order.

Both Jung and the Chief Minister also met the President separately and apprised him of their respective stands in the matter. Jung had also called on the Home Minister after meeting the President.

Amid the escalating feud, the Centre last week backed Jung as it made it clear that it was not mandatory for him to consult the Delhi chief minister on matters like the appointment of bureaucrats.

In a gazette notification issued on May 22, the Union Home Ministry said that the LG will have jurisdiction over matters connected with services, public order, police and land and he may consult with the chief minister on issues of services whenever he deems it necessary and at his own "discretion".