Null And Void: Centre On Arvind Kejriwal Government’s Suspension of Babus

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, Dec 31, 2015:  Some 200 officials in Delhi are on mass leave today to protest against the suspension of two colleagues, allegedly for refusing to sign some files.

 

The suspension of the officers has seeded another confrontation between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi and the Centre. The union home ministry has struck down the Delhi government’s action as "null and void."

AAP has in turn called the mass leave by officers a BJP fueled conspiracy.

"The BJP is tweeting and manipulating officers, is this not a conspiracy against the Delhi government?" questioned Delhi minister Satyendra Jain, adding that the "strike" would be declared void.

The officials who were suspended are Yashpal Garg, special secretary (Prosecution), and Subhash Chandra, special secretary (Prisons).

Sources say they had refused to sign files related to the AAP government’s decision to hike the Public Prosecutor’s salary. The officers had insisted that the files must be cleared by the Lieutenant-Governor, who represents the Centre in Delhi.

Officers point out that only the Lieutenant Governor had the right to take action against these officials, who are Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands Civil Service (DANICS) cadre.

After the suspension, around 200 more officers of the same cadre are on leave today. Around 70 Indian Administrative Service or IAS officers, who work in different departments of the national capital, have also threatened to work half-day.

The mass leave could impact the preps for the odd-even scheme in Delhi, which comes into force tomorrow; most of these officers are looking after projects related to the road-rationing plan.
Earlier, the AAP government had suspended five officials for alleged wrongdoings.

"The Delhi government does not have the power to suspend any DANICS officer...it can only recommend their suspension and the Lt Governor can act with permission from MHA," said an official.

 

Courtesy: NDTV