NEW DELHI: The Delhi government on Wednesday attacked the Central and the Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal for allegedly mocking the Supreme Court’s order in Delhi on Wednesday.
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh to discuss the situation arising out of the Supreme Court’s July 4 verdict on the power tussle between the Delhi government and the Centre.
In the meeting which took place at Rajnath’s residence, the two discussed how there should not be confusion over interpretation of the SC order.
Sources said that Kejriwal told the Union Minister that the SC order clarifies that management of administrative officer lies with the Delhi government. Singh is believed to have assured Kejriwal that Centre will ensure proper implementation of the apex court order.
Kejriwal, who was accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and some other senior AAP leaders, said, “Met him (Rajnath) over SC’s order on powers of Delhi government. Told him that the L-G and the Centre are interpreting order their own way. Order mentions ‘Services’ — management of administrative officers lies with Delhi government but L-G& Centre are refusing to abide by the order. This fight is directly between the Centre and the people of Delhi, this is the reason why BJP wants to keep the Services department under them.”
Meanwhile, Sisodia alleged that the Centre was “bullying” its way by not obeying the SC’s verdict that empowered the Delhi government to take decisions on subjects other than land, police and public service.
He cited the doorstep rations delivery scheme, CCTV camera project and bonus to DSIDC workers which were facing problems due to “obstructions” raised by the bureaucrats.
‘Game of files’ played through babus
The power tussle between the Delhi government and the Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal have been going on for quite sometime now, mainly on the control of services department.
The Supreme Court in its July 4 verdict had said that barring three issues of public order, police and land, the Delhi government has the power to legislate and govern on other issues and had also clipped the powers of the Lieutenant Governor.
Kejriwal on July 6 had said he had “overruled all objections” and approved the doorstep delivery of rations.
Although Kejriwal had directed the food department to immediately implement the plan, Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal had objected to the ambitious proposal and asked the Aam Aadmi Party dispensation to consult the Centre before executing it.