New Delhi, May 19 (). Amid growing bureaucratic impasse, Delhi Services Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj on Friday expressed displeasure over the delay on the part of Lieutenant Governor (LG) VK Saxena over the transfer of Services Secretary Ashish More.
Bhardwaj claimed that since there was no communication from the LG’s office in the last two days, a letter has been sent to him requesting him to clear the file immediately.
The minister stressed that the government is looking to implement a number of important changes, and the appointment of a new Services Secretary is an important step.
The matter was first raised by Bharadwaj on Thursday, and the file was sent to L-G Saxena for final approval after the Civil Services Board (CSB) meeting held two days ago.
With the delay in receiving a response, the Minister has now resorted to a formal letter, urging the Lieutenant Governor to immediately address the matter and expedite the approval process.
The letter sent by Bhardwaj to the LG on Friday said, “We had sent a proposal to change the Secretary (Services) two days back.” After the order of the Hon’ble Supreme Court, the elected government wants to make many administrative changes, for which the change in Secretary (Services) is important. Because of this, a lot of work has stopped.
The Constitution Benches of the Hon’ble Supreme Court have said in their two judgments that the Hon’ble LG should exercise the power of dissent in the rarest of rare cases. The change in Secretary (Services) is a very routine matter and not a fit matter for the exercise of dissent. The 2018 judgment of Hon’ble Supreme Court said that files should not be sent to Hon’ble LG for his approval, only decisions should be conveyed.
However, the GNCTD Amendment Act overturned the Supreme Court’s decision. Now, we have to send all the regular files to Hon’ble LG also. This GNCTD Amendment Act is under challenge in the Hon’ble Supreme Court. I request you to kindly approve the file. Soon there will be a change of Secretary (Services).
Earlier on Thursday, Bhardwaj asserted his authority over the service department by directing officials to seek their approval before issuing any order.
The directive comes just a week after the Supreme Court granted the elected government executive control over matters of services except those relating to land, police and public order.
In a clear demonstration of his authority, Bhardwaj said in an order: In supersession of all previous instructions, it has now become mandatory that the Chief Secretary, Secretary (Services) or Services Department, in respect of any category of employees, No order will be issued without approval.
PK/ANM
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