Delhi CM Kejriwal promises ‘massive administrative overhaul’, hours after SC verdict
Hours after the Supreme Court unanimously held that the elected government of Delhi has control over bureaucrats in administration of services, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said that a “massive administrative overhaul” will happen soon.
Addressing a press conference, Kejriwal said that the government, henceforth, would be “lean, thin, accountable and responsive”.
In what was an indication of what is in store for the city, within an hour-and-a-half of the apex court’s judgment, the government carried out the first transfer — that of IAS officer Ashish More, who was the secretary of the Services Department. He was replaced by Anil Kumar Singh, a 1995 batch IAS officer.
Kejriwal also met L-G V K Saxena, who has been responsible for services since he took over nearly a year ago, in the evening.
Addressing the press conference, Kejriwal hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government had been fighting for its right to exercise control over the services department for eight years.
“Eight years ago, on May 20, 2015, PM Modi got an order passed by the Centre that matters related to services will be governed by the L-G. This meant that officers working under the Delhi government, from top to bottom, their posting, transfers, and ordering disciplinary action against them would no longer come under the elected government. This meant that if I see any officer under me taking bribes, I cannot take any action against him. I can’t transfer him,” the CM said.
He added: “I can’t appoint the education or health secretary despite being the Chief Minister.” He further stated that owing to the notification passed by the Ministry of Home Affairs, both his “hands were tied behind his back and he was thrown into a river and asked to swim”.
While the relationship between the AAP government and the bureaucracy was cordial since it came to power in 2015, the past year has seen a complete breakdown, with ministers alleging that officials have skipped scheduled meetings, defied direct orders and have stalled files related to important work.
In his press conference, Kejriwal said that over the next few days and weeks, officers will be transferred on the basis of their performance so far. “There are some officers, who, for the past few months, stalled the work of the people of Delhi. These officers will be identified and they will have to pay for their actions. But there are many others who are honest and were feeling suffocated because they wanted to work — all these officers will get the opportunity to work and perform,” Kejriwal said.
He added, “The deadwood, corrupt and inefficient will be removed from good posts and will be replaced by good, honest, responsive and compassionate ones. The entire administrative system, too, will be rectified. The entire system is rotten. A system will be created which is accountable to the people and responsive to their needs. A lean, thin, accountable and responsive government will be set up.”
“I see that there are many posts which are unnecessary. Any official occupying these only ends up stalling the work of citizens. It is better if they are not there. Such posts will be identified and either left vacant or abolished. Where more posts are required, they will be created,” he said.
