Officers refuse to comply with Delhi govt's directives on transfers, Kejriwal writes to LG

The tussle between the Delhi government and central government continues even after the Supreme Court's judgement, which clipped the powers of the Lieutenant Governor.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Photo: PTI

NEW DELHI: The tussle between the Delhi government and central government continues even after the Supreme Court's judgement, which clipped the powers of the Lieutenant Governor.

Sought time to meet Hon’ble LG today to seek his support and cooperation in the implementation of the order of Hon’ble SC and in the development of Delhi

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) July 5, 2018

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday wrote to LG Anil Baijal after the refusal of officers to comply with the Delhi government's directive on new transfers and posting powers being given to the chief minister, deputy CM and ministers of the government. Kejriwal also appealed to officials to abide by the Supreme Court's judgement. Earlier in the day, Manish Sisodia said the refusal of bureaucrats to comply with the Delhi government's directives amounts to contempt of court and the leadership is seeking legal opinion on the matter. "The chief secretary has written to me saying the services department will not follow the orders. If they are not going to abide by it and the transfer files will still be seen by the LG then it will amount to contempt of the constitution bench," Sisodia told reporters. "We are consulting our lawyers about what can be done in the situation," he said, adding that the Supreme Court had clearly stated that the LG has the power to interfere only in three subjects, which does not include the services department. Hours after the Supreme Court's landmark judgement yesterday, the Delhi government introduced a new system for transfer and postings of bureaucrats, making Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal the approving authority. However, the services department refused to comply, saying the Supreme Court did not abolish the notification issued in 2016 which made the Ministry of Home Affairs the authority for transfers and postings. (With inputs from agencies)