The Delhi government has dismissed "rumours" of subsidies being stopped after the arrest of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. In a statement, the Aam Aadmi Party government said all welfare schemes and subsidies for citizens will continue. The clarification comes after the BJP sought an inquiry into Arvind Kejriwal's first order from jail, claiming that it was executed on a fake letterhead.
Secretary of Planning Department Niharika Rai issued a written order on Tuesday stating: "Rumours are being spread by notorious elements with vested interests in Delhi that with the arrest of the Chief Minister by the Enforcement Directorate, all welfare schemes and subsidies of the Delhi government will be stopped."
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"There shall be no disruption of any kind in disbursement of admissible subsidies, pensions, welfare benefits, etc. Social welfare schemes are funded with public money through the consolidated fund, backed by budgetary allocations. Social welfare funds are neither personal property of any individual or political entity, nor funded by an individual or entity's personal money," it further read.
Rai said that the civil services architecture in the national capital continues as usual and urged people to stay away from rumour mongers "who are trying to take advantage of the situation" after CM Kejriwal's arrest.
BJP Seeks Inquiry Into CM Kejriwal's Order From Jail
The clarification comes in the wake of the BJP demanding an inquiry into Kejriwal's order that Atishi read out. The Delhi CM's first order from the ED custody came on Sunday, instructing the chief secretary and officials to ensure adequate supply of water to citizens of the national capital. He asked them to ensure that there is no water shortage as summer is near.
The BJP however, claimed that the order was a forged document. "The order is without number, date & signature. It clearly shows unauthorised use of power. Moreover, Kejriwal ji, currently in remand, lacks the legal capacity to issue such directives without court permission, which hasn't been granted. This order is illegal & unconstitutional; we demand an enquiry as to who is misusing CMO and for what personal gains," BJP leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa said.
BJP leader Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga urged Sirsa to file a complaint with the Election Commission, in addition to the ones filed with the lieutenant Governor and the Enforcement Directorate.
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CM Kejriwal's Second Order For ED Custody
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday sent his second set of instructions to his Cabinet colleagues. Delhi minister Saurabh Bhardwaj said he has been asked by the CM to take steps to alleviate difficulties faced by people at Mohalla clinics and resolve their troubles. "Even from the ED custody, Delhi CM is worried about the health care of the state... He is worried that because he is jailed, the people of Delhi should not suffer because of it... The CM has received information that people are facing difficulties in the tests carried out at the Mohalla clinics. He has directed me to take steps to resolve this... I want to ensure the people of Delhi that even if your CM is in jail, he is only thinking about you," Bharadwaj said.