New Delhi: Lieutenant Governor V.K. A senior official said Saxena, all departments of the Delhi government have been asked to submit reports of violations, if any, of rules by Delhi Assembly committees, almost all of which are headed by AAP MLAs. The L-G’s office has also asked the chief secretary to prepare a report on the same.
The LG has said that the rule, according to which assembly committees cannot “consider matters of day-to-day administration”, is not being followed strictly. The move could spark a fresh tussle between the AAP government and the Centre-appointed lieutenant governor over control of the capital’s bureaucracy. The dispute over control of administrative services is part of the long-running power tussle between the AAP government and the Center being heard by the Supreme Court.
In Delhi, which is not a full-fledged state, the control over service department related to transfer and posting of officers is not with the Delhi government, but with the LG. However, the elected government has exerted some influence on officials through assembly committees, which have summoned and questioned officials of the Delhi government over alleged irregularities.
An AAP leader, a member of one such committee, said, “This development is not good for us.” Now we may lose the only advantage we have over the authorities.
A senior government official said the move would “protect officials” from the AAP government.
what does the act say
According to section 33 of the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) Amendment Act, 2021, “[the] Legislative Assembly shall not make any rules to enable itself or its committees to consider matters of day-to-day administration of the capital or Inquire regarding administrative decisions.
“Prior to this amendment, assembly committees could summon officials and order inquiries,” said an official. But after the introduction of the amendment, they are not authorized to do so.”
A letter sent from Raj Niwas to the Chief Secretary said, “It has recently been brought to the notice of the Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor that the amended provisions of Section 33 of the GNCTD Act are not being strictly followed or complied with. Therefore, the Lieutenant Governor has desired that the Chief Secretary may submit a factual report indicating the instances of deviation, if any, from the aforesaid amended provisions of section 33.
When contacted, Delhi government spokesperson did not comment.
AAP MLA and committee member Saurabh Bhardwaj accused the Finance Department of obstructing the projects of various departments in the meeting of the Delhi Assembly Petitions Committee held on December 28.
