Delhi CM Kejriwal overrules 'all objections', approves doorstep delivery of rations

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday approved the much-debated doorstep ration delivery system, two days after the Supreme Court verdict that clipped the powers of the lieutenant governor.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Photo: PTI (File)

NEW DELHI: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday approved the much-debated doorstep ration delivery system, two days after the Supreme Court verdict that clipped the powers of the lieutenant governor. He also directed the Food Department to implement it immediately. "Approved Doorstep Delivery of Rations. Overruled all objections to the proposal...Directed... to keep me informed of daily progress," Kejriwal tweeted.

Approved Doorstep Delivery of Rations. Over ruled all objections to the proposal. Directed Food Dept to start its implementation immediately.

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) July 6, 2018

"Directed dept to keep me informed of daily progress," he added in another tweet. The AAP dispensation had been long jostling with Lt Governor Anil Baijal and the Centre over doorstep ration delivery system. Baijal had had objected to the Delhi government's proposal and asked it to consult the Centre before executing it. In a meeting of the Expenditure Finance Committee chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, the Delhi government cleared two other projects -- the final installment of the Signature bridge and construction of academic and hostel blocks of the Delhi Technical University. "Two major projects cleared - 1. Final installment for Signature Bridge. Now it would be completed by Oct'18 2. Two new academic blocks and 3 new hostels in Delhi Technical Univ(DTU). This would add approx 3000 more students to DTU," Sisodia tweeted.

Chaired Expenditure-Finance-Comittee meeting. Two major projects cleared -

1. Final installment for Signature Bridge. Now it would be completed by Oct'18 2. Two new academic blocks and 3 new hostels in Delhi Technical Univ(DTU). This would add approx 3000 more students to DTU. — Manish Sisodia (@msisodia) July 6, 2018

Kejriwal and Sisodia also met Baijal to find a way to work together amid logjam over several issues. This was the first meeting of the chief minister and his deputy after historic Supreme Court verdict in which the court said the LG has not been entrusted with independent powers. Post the meeting, Baijal said he assured the CM of his cooperation in the interest of "good governance and overall development of Delhi". "Met Hon'ble CM @ArvindKejriwal & Hon'ble Dy. CM @msisodia . Assured them of my continued support & cooperation in the interest of good governance & overall development of Delhi as per the letter and spirit of Constitution. (sic)," Bijal tweeted.

Met Hon'ble CM @ArvindKejriwal & Hon'ble Dy. CM @msisodia . Assured them of my continued support & cooperation in the interest of good governance & overall development of Delhi as per the letter and spirit of Constitution. pic.twitter.com/veBl8rJZCU

— LG Delhi (@LtGovDelhi) July 6, 2018

Kejriwal thanked Baijal and said: "All of us should work together for the development of Delhi."

Thank you sir. All of us should work together for the development of Delhi. Constitution is supreme. Orders of SC become the law of the land. They must be respected. https://t.co/9djVvG4VxV

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) July 6, 2018

The Supreme Court in its verdict on Thursday said the L-G has no "independent decision-making power" and has to act on the aid and advice of the elected government. (With inputs from agencies)