IAS officers say ready for discussion, Sisodia wants meeting in LG Baijal's presence

The IAS association on Monday welcomed Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's assurance to IAS officers about their safety and security and said it is ready for "formal discussions" to end the four-month-long impasse.

Members of IAS association of the AGMUT cadre, Varsha Joshi (L) and Manisha Saxena address a press conference to refute claims made against IAS officers for being on strike, in New Delhi. Photo: PTI

NEW DELHI: The IAS association on Monday welcomed Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's assurance to IAS officers about their safety and security and said it is ready for "formal discussions" to end the four-month-long impasse. "Officers of GNCTD welcome Hon'ble CM's appeal. We reiterate that we continue to be at work with full dedication & vigour. We look forward to concrete interventions for our security & dignity," IAS Association (Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Mizoram and Union Territories) said in a tweet. "We are open to formal discussions with CM on this matter," it added.

#DelhiAtWork #NoToStrike Officers of GNCTD welcome Hon'ble CM's appeal. We reiterate that we continue to be at work with full dedication & vigour. We look forward to concrete interventions for our security & dignity. We are open to formal discussions with Honble CM on this matter

— IAS AGMUT Association (@IAS_Agmut) June 18, 2018

Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, who has been on hunger strike since June 13 at the LG's office, tweeted: "Happy for discussions with our officers. Del govt committed to provide them safe n secure environment. However, LG is head of both services and security. So, meeting shud take place in his presence so that assurances related to those subjects cud be given (sic)." "Thats precisely why we have been sitting at Raj Niwas for so many days requesting Hon'ble LG to call all stakeholders and end this impasse (sic)," he said in another tweet.

Happy for discussions with our officers. Del govt committed to provide them safe n secure environment. However, LG is head of both “services” and “security”. So, meeting shud take place in his presence so that assurances related to those subjects cud be given https://t.co/tOdlhOw1mC

— Manish Sisodia (@msisodia) June 18, 2018

Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday assured the IAS officers that he would ensure their safety saying they were part of his family, and sought to break the deadlock between the AAP dispensation and the officers over an alleged assault on Chief Secretary Anshu Prakash. "I am told that IAS Officers Association has expressed concerns about their safety in a press conference today. I wish to assure them that I will ensure their safety and security with all powers and resources available at my command. It is my duty," Kejriwal said.

My appeal to my officers of Delhi govt .... pic.twitter.com/YQ02WgaAtd

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) June 17, 2018

Chief Minister's statement came hours after the IAS officers' association expressed concern over the safety of officers, asking the AAP government not to "use bureaucrats for political gains". According to the AAP government, the IAS officers have been on "strike" and boycotting meetings with ministers since the alleged assault on the chief secretary by some of AAP MLAs at the CM's residence on the intervening night of February 19-20. However, officers have maintained that no officer is on "strike" and no work has been affected. Kejriwal and his ministers have been staging a sit-in at the LG's  office since June 11 evening to press for their demands, including a direction to IAS officers to end their "strike" and action against those who have struck work. (With PTI inputs)