After Parliament Passes Services Bill, Delhi Secretariat Orders Removal Of 116 Fellows From Research Programme

Days after the Delhi Services Bill was passed in the Parliament, the Legislative Assembly Secretariat has issued orders to discontinue the engagement of 116 fellows under DARC.

New Delhi: Days after the Delhi Services Bill was passed in the Parliament, the Legislative Assembly Secretariat has issued orders to discontinue the engagement of 116 fellows under the Delhi Assembly Research Centre Fellowship Programme, reported news agency PTI.

Last month, the Legislative Assembly Secretariat had issued an order discontinuing the engagement of the fellows, but later said the decision has been kept in abeyance till further directions.

As per the agency, the order was issued last month after the Delhi government’s services department wrote to all departments, boards and commissions to stop the engagement of fellows and advisers without the lieutenant governor’s approval. 

"The engagement of Fellows, Associate Fellows and Associate Fellows (Media) under Delhi Assembly Research Centre Fellowship Programme in Delhi Legislative Assembly is hereby discontinued with immediate effect till the issues of payment of stipend and marking of attendance are resolved.

"All Fellows, Associate Fellows and Associate Fellows (Media) are hereby directed to clear all dues, if any, and submit No Dues Certificate to this Secretariat immediately without fail. This issued with prior approval of Hon'ble Speaker, DLA," read the Legislative Assembly Secretariat order issued on August 9.

Last month, Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena terminated the services of around 400 "specialists" appointed by the Arvind Kejriwal government, a move the AAP dispensation termed "unconstitutional".

Parliament on Monday had passed the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023, that gives the central government control over bureaucrats in the Delhi government.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had lambasted Modi, saying that PM has backstabbed the people of Delhi.

The bill seeks to replace the ordinance on transfers and postings of senior officers in the Delhi government. Notably, the ordinance was issued by the Centre on May 19, a week after the Supreme Court handed over control of services in Delhi to the elected government led by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, except police, public order, and land.