JOIN USSenior BJP leader Arun Jaitely on Wednesday questioned the constitutional validity of the Delhi government decision to initiate an inquiry against the decision of Centre on fixation of gas prices.
“To put the Central Government under the police jurisdiction of the state government would be a constitutional monstrosity. It would be violation of federal principles in reverse,” Jaitley, the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, said. He contended that the Anti-Corruption Bureau, which is to probe complaints of corruption in fixation of gas price, was part of the Vigilance Directorate of the Delhi government and does not have police powers.
“In relation to the vigilance it has all the powers to deal with erring public servants and departments of the Delhi government,” Jaitley said.
He said the Constitution prohibits extension of the powers of the Vigilance Department of the Delhi Government to the geographical territory of the national capital. The Congress had also spoken in a similar vein on Tuesday by questioning the constitutional validity of the Delhi government decision.
However, the AICC Communication Department Chairman Ajay Maken had refused to elaborate.Congress sources said that it was not for the party to interpret the legality of any decision as it came under the ambit of the courts.
The sources said the Congress would not approach court with a plea questioning the constitutional jurisdiction of the Delhi government decision, but would leave it to individuals.