Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Lieutenant Governor may be on a collision course with Najeeb Jung’s office on Sunday directing ministers in the AAP Government to refer all files on various issues directly to him.
The directive was also sent to officials of the Delhi government.
The LG’s office said that all files on various issues should be referred to him as is stipulated under the Constitution, GNCTD Act and Transaction of Business Rules.
The move comes after it was reported in certain sections of the media that Kejriwal had directed that all files pertaining to subjects of police, public order and land should be routed to the LG office through him.
However, the above mentioned subjects are said to be within the executive domain of the LG as he is the representative of the Centre.
Reports also said that Kejriwal had issued the directive eleven days after being sworn-in as CM of Delhi.
Referring to the Constitution, The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) Act, 1991 and Transaction of Business Rules, Jung said the role of the Chief Minister and the Council of Ministers is to aid and advise him.
“The Lt. Governor has informed the Chief Minister, drawing his attention to the relevant provisions of the Constitution, the GNCTD Act 1991 and Transaction of Business Rules 1993, which underscore the relationship between the Lt. Governor’s and the Chief Minister’s office. That the role of the Chief Minister and the Council of Ministers is to aid and advise the Lt Governor where the latter is entitled to act solely on his own discretion and all files relating to matters for which Legislative Assembly can make law should come to the Lt. Governor for final approval,” a statement from the LG’s office said.
It also said, “The Lt Governor has instructed that the directions issued to the officers be withdrawn. He has made it incumbent on all officers to follow the Constitution, GNCTD Act 1991 and the Transaction of Business Rules 1993, in letter and in spirit.”
