Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal greeting Lt Governor Anil Baijal. (File photo)
The Aam Aadmi Party government got down to business right after their huge victory in the Supreme Court and directed officials to expedite projects like installation of CCTV cameras and doorstep delivery of ration. One of the first orders that Deputy Chief Minister Sisodia signed sought to restore the powers of the ministers to transfer officials. But within hours, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia was told that his order cannot be implemented, sources said. Sources told NDTV that the services department has told Manish Sisodia that there was nothing in the Supreme Court verdict that cancelled the August 2016 order issued on the Lieutenant Governor's instructions.
The rejoinder came as a huge setback to the Kejriwal government that had been celebrating Supreme Court order that Delhi's Lt Governor was constitutionally bound by the "aid and advice" of the elected government.
Here are highlights:
L-G Anil Baijal will be meeting Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal tomorrow.
AAP spokesperson Saurabh Bharadwaj tweeted a 3-page response to Arun Jaitley for his interpretation of the Delhi verdict.
Ashutosh took a shot at Arun Jaitley and expressed his views on Twitter:
Day after Supreme Court gave its verdict in the AAP Government versus L-G fight, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal wrote to Anil Baijal today. He said Lt-Governor's "concurrence would now not be required on any matter".
"Judicial discipline to abide by declaration of law by this Court, cannot be forsaken, under any pretext by any authority or Court, be it even the Highest Court in a State, oblivious to Article 141 of the Constitution of India, 1950 (in short the 'Constitution')," he wrote in the letter.
All decisions will be taken in accordance with the Supreme Court order: Manish Sisodia
The Delhi government is taking advice of lawyers to plan way forward, Deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia said. "Till then, we request all to work in good spirit as advised by the Supreme Court," he said.
Services Department Dishonouring Supreme Court Order, Says Manish Sisodia
Now, as far as the services department is concerned, I do not think the LG will sign transfers anymore. I do not think he will disobey the orders of the Supreme Court. On the other hand, officers say that according to the existing rule they take orders from the L-G. So, if they cannot take orders from the Delhi government and the L-G cannot sign anymore, where does it leave us? Does it mean that we are stuck? Do that mean that we are stuck?
Centre has powers only in 3 areas: Manish Sisodia
"Supreme Court has clearly said that Union government has powers only in 3 areas - Law and Order, Police and Land... Even in transfers, the Centre can make decisions only in transfers related to the 3 areas which are with them... Apart from that, all other work and transfers of all other departments is with the Delhi government".
The department has also indicated that the Lt Governor and top bureaucrats would continue to decide on transfer and posting of officials till the 2016 directive is either cancelled by the court or replaced with a new order pre-approved by Lt Governor Anil Baijal.
The Delhi services department, which decides on posting of officials, has bluntly told Deputy Chief minister Manish Sisodia that his order on transfer of officers cannot be implemented.
Sources told NDTV that the services department has told Manish Sisodia that there was nothing in the Supreme Court verdict that cancelled the August 2016 order issued on the Lieutenant Governor's instructions.