Delhi Lieutenant Governor, Najeeb Jung has sought files relating to a notification on enhancement of circle rates, saying that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government did not ask for his permission before issuing it.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Lieutenant Governor (LG) Najeeb Jung seem to be heading for a fresh showdown over who controls the state administration. Mr Jung has sought files relating to a notification on enhancement of circle rates, saying that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government did not ask for his permission before issuing it.
Yesterday, the government had issued a circular asking all departments and ministries not to send any files to the LG, except those relating to police, land and public order.
A statement issued by the LG's office said, "This has reference to reports in the media about a notification being issued by the Delhi Government for enhancement of circle rates of agricultural land in Delhi. The matter was not placed before the Lt. Governor prior to the issue of notification. The Lt. Governor's office has therefore called the relevant file for examining the legal and constitutional aspects of the notification."
Earlier in June, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia had proposed to increase circle rates on agriculture land by up to 125 per cent in the budget. Circle rates are the minimum value at which the sale or transfer of any type of land or property can take place.
Mr Kejriwal and the LG, through the Centre, are locked in a bitter turf war over who has the final say on all matters relating to administration. AAP has accused the Centre of "attempting to weaken" their government's fight against corruption. Currently, Delhi has two anti-graft unit chiefs and two home secretaries, one each appointed by the government and the LG due to the differences between them.