New Delhi: The political standoff between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the central government continued on Tuesday with Services Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj saying that the reinstatement of Special Secretary (Vigilance) YVVJ Rajasekhar was illegal.
Bhardwaj, in an office memorandum dated May 23, said the central government’s ordinance did not cover “allocation of work within the department”, while he was the “competent authority” to decide the said matter.
Rajasekhar was stripped of his duties by the AAP-led administration, days after the Supreme Court’s May 11 order that empowered the government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi to exercise its power over appointments and transfers of civil servants gives.
Rajasekhar, a 2012-batch IAS officer of the AGMUT cadre, was the first officer to be reinstated through a central government ordinance, while an official order said he would resume duties “as usual”, directing further That all Assistant Directors (ADs) maintain the workflow status as it was on May 10. As per the order copy, the order allowing Rajasekhar to resume his duties was issued by the office of the secretary (vigilance), and signed by Biju Raj, additional director.
Rajasekhar was probing alleged irregularities in connection with the renovation of the official residence of the Chief Minister of Delhi. He was also part of the investigation into the now-cancelled Excise Policy (2021-22).
Asked about the minister’s statements in the memorandum, Rajasekhar told ThePrint on Tuesday, “I have not seen any such instruction. In any case, the matter is still pending as before. Why am I being targeted? We’re all doing our jobs as far as I’m concerned Nishikama Karma (selfless actions). Let me concentrate on my work.”
The ordinance under consideration, promulgated by the President late last Friday night, allows for the setting up of the ‘National Capital Civil Services Authority’ (NCCSA), a three-member body headed by the chief minister, with two centrally appointed officers. Chief Secretary of Delhi and Principal Secretary (Home Department) as its members.
The NCCSA is tasked with making recommendations to the LG on transfer and vigilance related matters based on a majority vote of the members of the committee.
In an office memorandum released on Tuesday, Bhardwaj said that Rajasekhar continues to be relieved of his duties while reiterating his previous decisions that the former’s work in the Services Department would be looked after by Special Secretary (Services) Kinni Singh, and that his work in Rajasekhar Is. The Vigilance Department was to be distributed among the Assistant Directors.
Bhardwaj cited complaints against the officer for allegedly running an extortion racket, According to LG House officials, Rajasekhar is among 10 officers who have alleged harassment at the hands of AAP leaders.
Rajasekhar’s office was earlier sealed and he alleged that the place was searched and some records were tampered with.
However, Monday’s order directed that his office be de-sealed in keeping with the central government’s ordinance. Taking cognizance of the order, Rajasekhar directed two assistant directors to prepare a list of files.
Bhardwaj, in the memorandum, called for an inquiry into how an “unauthorised order” was issued to reinstate the said IAS officer.
(Editing by Amritansh Arora)