The Delhi government on Wednesday introduced a new system for transfer and postings of bureaucrats, making Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal as the approving authority, hours after the Supreme Court verdict on its long-running fight with the Lieutenant Governor on administrative and other powers.
So far, the L-G has been the approving authority for transfers and postings of the IAS and DANICS (Delhi, Anadaman and Nicobar Islands Civil Services) officers.
However, senior bureaucrats working with the Delhi government claimed that ‘services matter’ still lies with the office of Lt Governor because Delhi is a union territory, and services matter does not fall under the concurrent and state lists.
A top officer, requesting anonymity, said the Appropriate Regular Bench of the Supreme Court will take a final decision on the service matters and other issues.
Another officer claimed that the apex court has not set aside the May, 2015 notification of the ministry of home affairs, according to which services matter lies with the L-G.
As per an order issued by Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, Delhi Administrative Subordinate Services Grade-I, II, principal secretary and private secretary will come under the Deputy CM, who will be responsible for their transfer and posting.
Minister-in-charge will have a say in transfer and posting of other officials such as stenos.
Addressing a press conference, Sisodia said the central government and lieutenant governor had “misinterpreted” rules by adding services matter in “reserved subjects” and they should “apologise” for this.
Sisodia said the Delhi government doesn’t need to get its decision approved by the L-G.
In a landmark order, the Supreme Court on Wednesday clipped the powers of the L-G, saying he has no “independent decision making power” and has to act on the aid and advice of the elected government.
The judgment by a five-judge constitution bench, headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra, laid down broad parameters for the governance of the national capital, which has witnessed a bitter power tussle between the Centre and Delhi government since the Aam Aadmi Party government came to power in 2014.
Photograph: Manvender Vashist/PTI Photo
