Sisodia hits out at Centre over officers' transfer

The Centre has transferred eight ‘honest’ Delhi government officials to Andaman in an “autocratic” manner “bypassing” the city government with an aim to create hurdles in the development work in the capital, said Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Tuesday.

“In all, nine Delhi government officials were transferred by the Ministry of Home Affairs on Monday. Of them, eight officials will be sent to Andaman. When asked about the transfers, the Centre said that it was its right. But shouldn’t the elected government of the state be consulted?” Sisodia asked.

The Union government has not even discussed the transfers with the chief secretary of the Delhi government, said the deputy CM.

“The officers who have been transferred were doing fabulous work for development in unauthorised colonies, building classrooms in schools and installation of CCTVs across the city,” he said.

Sisodia said the city has shortages of officers in the city. “In all, there are 24 posts in Andaman and Nicobar and the Centre is planning to depute 31 officials. While Delhi should have 309 posts for DANICS officers but currently only 165 officials have been deputed. Of these 165, eight have been transferred to Andaman. Is this your right to destroy the Delhi government?” said Sisodia.

On Monday, the CBI arrested Rajendra Kumar, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal over graft charges.

Sisodia questioned the timing of the arrest of Kumar by CBI accusing the Centre of “paralysing” the government's machinery to carry out development work in the capital.

The corruption allegations on Kumar dates back to 2006 but none of the minister of the then Congress government has been questioned, he had said.

On December 16, the CBI had raided the office of Principal Secretary to Chief Minister on the allegations of corruption. Sisodia said that Kumar was a mere “scapegoat” whereas CM Kejriwal is the “real target”.

Sisodia had said the Centre was attacking the AAP government as it was shaken by the response AAP was receiving in Punjab and Goa.

“Modi-led Union government is conspiring against the AAP government to paralyse its machinery and hinder in the development work in Delhi.”