Setting up a fresh round of confrontation, the Delhi government on Friday passed resolutions against Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung, saying that the cabinet was “aghast” to learn that the LG was using “intimidating and coercive tactics” on bureaucrats.
The Arvind Kejriwal cabinet appointed a Group of Ministers to protect government officials from “political victimisation”.
In a separate resolution, it challenged Jung’s authority to relieve the VAT Commissioner Vijay Kumar who it alleged was targeted for “fighting against corruption”.
“This GoM will, upon receiving a complaint for help from any officer would assess if it is a case of political victimisation. The GoM can also take up a case suo moto,” an Aam Admi Party government statement said.
It claimed several senior officials had informed that they were summoned by LG and threatened with “dire consequences” if they refused to not obstruct the functioning of Delhi government.
On the VAT commissioner’s transfer, the Cabinet asked the LG whether it was true that he had “summoned Kumar after passing his relieving order and threatened him to leave Delhi immediately” and that whether he received “written or oral instructions from PMO or MHA” to relieve the tax commissioner.
In a rebuttal, LG’s Secretariat said it had acted on orders from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, which on October 9 had issued directions that five officers, who were earlier transferred from Delhi to other Union Territories, should be relieved with immediate effect. Kumar's name figured among these five.
The cabinet resolutions reflect the ongoing tussle between the LG and the AAP government over appointment of key officials in Delhi.
In its rebuttal, the LG’s office referred to reports indicating “poor treatment” of some senior bureaucrats” by the elected government.
VAT Commissioner
In its statement, the Delhi government alleged that Kumar had raided fraudulent companies as well as an international food chain. The last VAT raid under him was on the night of September 30.
"In this raid, as many as 200 fraudulent companies that existed only on paper were discovered. These companies have been found to be involved in massive and organised tax evasions," it said.
The AAP government alleged an international hawala dealer, wanted by the Interpol, is behind the well-oiled network of 200 companies and that details of the case have been shared with the Income Tax Department and Enforcement Directorate.
“Records show that in the last 23 years, since GNCTD came into existence, never before had any LG directly relieved an officer,” it said.
The Delhi Cabinet said that the new GoM meant for shielding bureaucrats from “political victimisation” will be headed by the Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and will consist of Home Minister Satyendar Jain and Transport Minister Gopal Rai as members.
“The GOM shall be authorised to take all steps required to protect officer including providing legal support at government’s cost,” the Cabinet said. The cabinet also approved convening of the second session of the Assembly from November 18 to November 28.
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