Kejriwal-Jung tussle: LG has no power to appoint Delhi chief secretary, says Indira Jaisingh

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, May 19, 2015: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has received another backing in his ongoing tussle with Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung over postings and transfers of bureaucrats.

 

Former additional solicitor general Indira Jaising has given her legal opinion on the matter and said that the LG has no power under the Constitution to appoint a chief secretary.

“The LG has no independent discretion in appointment of chief secretary in the democratic scheme of our Constitution,” Indira Jaisingh stated in her opinion for the Delhi government.

“There is no provision granting to LG the power to act at his own discretion in the matter of appointment of the chief secretary,” the noted lawyer added.

The Delhi government had sought the former ASG’s opinion amid an escalation in row with the LG over appointment of Shakuntala Gamlin as the interim chief secretary.

Kejriwal had opposed Gamlin’s appointment accusing her of lobbying for power distribution companies.

Following the development, the AAP government had removed principal secretary (services) Anindo Majumdar from the post for issuing the order of posting of Gamlin as the interim chief secretary.

LG Jung, however, rejected the handing over of the additional charge of principal secretary (services) to Rajendra Kumar, who is secretary to the CM.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia spoke to the media after receiving legal opinion on the matter and said that “everyone should simply read the Constitution”.

“Ministers and secretaries’ roles are defined. Delhi has a government and not President’s Rule,” Sisodia added.

 

Courtesy: Zeenews