Reconsider Removal Of Chief Electricity Regulator, Arvind Kejriwal Writes To Lt Governor

New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today urged Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung to reconsider his decision of scrapping the appointment of Krishna Saini as chairperson of the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission or DERC. Mr Saini was removed from his office on Wednesday by the governor.

In a 27-page note to Mr Jung, the chief minister argued that cancelling the appointment of Mr Saini would only lead to "serious problems" for the power sector, and will have an adverse impact on the consumer.

In his note, Mr Kejriwal also cited the Transaction of Business Rules for appointment of government functionaries and said that each rule had been complied with.

"The entire selection process was conducted in a fair and transparent manner, and in full conformity with law while bearing public interest in mind," Mr Kejriwal wrote in the note.

"There is not an iota of mala fide, bias or other irregularity in the process," he added.

The Lieutenant Governor's office had objected to Mr Saini's appointment as the chief of the DERC in March saying that the appointment was made without the approval of Mr Jung, as mandated under rules and procedures.

The Delhi government had constituted a selection committee, headed by a retired High Court Judge, and which included the chairman of the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission and the Delhi Chief Secretary as members.  

Mr Kejriwal also pointed out that copies of both the appointment order of the selection committee and order of the chairman were sent to Mr Jung's office, adding that there was no objection to the appointment in March.

"Lt Governor is aware, this is a curable defect, even if we assume that it was a defect, Thus, I would urge him to review his order in public interest," Mr Kejriwal said adding that Mr Saini had taken several decision in the public interest, including imposing a penalty on power distributing companies for power cuts.