AAP Govt Power Subsidy Scheme: Probe Ordered By Delhi LG Politically Motivated & Unconstitutional, Sisodia Says

"You have no right to give orders in any matter other than land, police, public order and services," Sisodia wrote in the letter.

Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia speaks during an interaction with students (Source: File photo/PTI)

New Delhi: Amid the ongoing tussle between the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Siosida on Tuesday wrote to L-G V.K. Saxena, accusing him of bypassing the elected government in Delhi and ordering inquiries into its works in a "politically motivated and unconstitutional" manner, as reported by news agency PTI. "You have no right to give orders in any matter other than land, police, public order and services," Sisodia wrote in the letter.

"All your orders are politically motivated. So far nothing has come out in any of the investigations. I request you to act according to the Constitution," the AAP leader said.

The Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court has also made it clear that the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi will act only on the advice of the elected government on all matters except those of land, police and public order. 

According to the information, Saxena has directed the Chief Secretary to investigate the alleged non-implementation of payment of electricity subsidy through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to consumers. In 2018, the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) ordered to send the subsidy to the consumer's account. The Lieutenant Governor's office said that the Chief Secretary has been asked to submit the report in seven days.

In fact, a complaint was received by the Lieutenant Governor's Secretariat, in which the issue of lapses and discrepancies in the power subsidy scheme of the Kejriwal government in Delhi has been raised.

The complainants include eminent lawyers and lawmakers. DERC in its order dated 19 February 2018 had said that the Delhi government may consider the transfer of power subsidy to consumers through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). He has alleged that a huge scam took place after the appointment of directors and a private power distribution company (DISCOM) by the Delhi government.