Atishi defied the government’s order.

New Delhi Minister Accuses Chief Secretary of Disobeying Order

Atishi, the Minister of Service Department in the Delhi government, has accused Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar of not obeying the order. According to Atishi, he had issued the order after making a system for coordination between the Civil Services Authority (NCSA) and the departments.

Writing a ten-page letter on August 21, the Chief Secretary cited the new GNCT Act (Amendment) 2023 and refused to accept it. The Chief Secretary wrote that the minister does not have this right.

In a press conference at the Delhi Secretariat, Atishi said that India is a democratic country. Here the public chooses the government and that government is accountable, but in Delhi, on 11 August 2023, the central government issued a notification of a new law under the GNCT Act (Amendment) 2023. This law says that there may be a democracy in our country, but the elected government of Delhi will not have any right. In Delhi, this authority will be with the bureaucracy and the Lieutenant Governor. Its effect is also visible. The officials are refusing to obey the elected government.

Citing the Supreme Court, Atishi said that we consider it unconstitutional and undemocratic law. Have gone to the Supreme Court against this. Nevertheless, in this law, the Civil Services Authority has been created for the transfer, posting and disciplinary action of officers. Since this law has been made, respecting it, we had issued an order on August 16 to implement a system for better coordination between government departments and authorities, under which the matter related to services and vigilance would be referred to the Services Minister i.e. me. After sending it was said to send it to the authority.

Talked about tearing apart democracy in Delhi

Atishi has alleged that on August 21, the Chief Secretary has written a letter to me saying that we will not listen to the minister of the elected government. This power rests with the officer. Citing sub-section 5 of Section 45 (J) of the Act, the Chief Secretary has said that if an officer wishes, he can refuse to obey the order of the minister. If the Chief Secretary of Delhi Government wants, he refuses to obey the order given by the Minister. He can send its information to the Chief Minister, Lieutenant Governor. Atishi said that this section of the law is tearing apart democracy in Delhi.

‘The concerned minister should be aware of the matter’

The government says that this order was done to create a coordination system. The government had said that the matters of the Services and Vigilance Department should go through the concerned minister so that there is coordination between the government, the department, its ministers, and the authority.

NCSA meeting likely to be postponed

Will the NCSA meeting be affected after this letter from the Chief Secretary? On this, Atishi said that it will definitely happen. So that the work of the public does not stop, we had issued an order to make coordination between the departments and the authority.

Summary:

• Atishi, Minister of Service Department in the Delhi government, accuses Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar of not obeying the order.
• Chief Secretary cited the new GNCT Act (Amendment) 2023 and refused to accept it.
• Delhi government issued a notification of a new law under the GNCT Act (Amendment) 2023, taking away rights of the elected government.
• Atishi alleges that Chief Secretary’s refusal to obey the order is tearing apart democracy in Delhi.
• Government claims that the order was meant to create a coordination system between departments and the authority.
• The NCSA meeting is likely to be postponed due to the Chief Secretary’s letter.