Delhi Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung today ordered the transfer of several senior officials in various departments of the Delhi government inviting a sharp reaction from CM Arvind Kejriwal who alleged undue meddling by centre.
Jung ordered the transfers in departments, including health, public works and environment, following the Delhi high court order that said that the L-G was the administrative head of the city.
Health secretary Tarun Seem has been replaced with India Administrative Service (IAS) officer Chandrakar Bharti and Ashwani Kumar has been appointed as the PWD secretary in place of Sarvagya Srivastava. Deputy CM had earlier urged Mr Jung not to transfer Seem and Srivastava as they were engaged in AAP government's Mohalla clinic and flyover project.
The transfer order has left Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal seething as he alleged unwanted interference by Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung in the affairs of the AAP government.
Mr Kejriwal alleged that Mr Jung ordered the transfers despite Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia "virtually falling at the Lt Governor's feet" and asking him not to remove officers involved in building mohalla (neighbourhood) clinics and schools.
Today, several officers transferred by LG directly. Files not even shown to CM or any minister. Is this Modi model of democracy?” Kejriwal tweeted.
The LG did not even pay heed to Sisodia’s request of not transferring PWD and health secretary till March 31, he added.
Earlier this month, the Lieutenant Governor had instructed that all transfers or postings of officers should be placed before him.
The Delhi High Court on August 3 ruled Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung remains the administrative head of the National Capital Territory, and therefore, was not bound to act as per the advise of the Delhi government.
Kejriwal and the BJP-led government at the Centre have been loggerheads since he came to power in Delhi last year. The AAP has accused L-G Jung of being an agent of the Centre and working against its government in Delhi.
