Ahead of a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday afternoon, Delhi Chief Secretary Anshu Prakash wrote to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, informing him that he and other officers would attend the meeting on the assumption that there wouldn’t be any “attack” on officers.
On February 20, Mr. Prakash filed a police complaint, alleging he was assaulted by Aam Aadmi Party MLAs the previous night during a meeting at the Chief Minister’s residence. Since then, officers of the Delhi government have been protesting against the alleged attack, refusing to attend meetings with the political executive.
In a letter to the Chief Minister, the Chief Secretary wrote that since the meeting of the Council of Ministers, scheduled for 3 p.m., was to finalise the dates of the Budget session of the Assembly, the officers, including him, would attend.
“However, this is based on the assumption that the Chief Minister will ensure that there is no physical assault and verbal attack on the officers. It is also hoped that in the said meeting proper decorum will be maintained and the dignity of officers will be protected,” the Chief Secretary wrote.
The Joint Forum of Delhi government Employees also passed a resolution allowing officers associated with the Budget preparation to attend the meeting. However, the officers said the five-minute silent protest at 1.30 p.m. every day would continue and the communication with the Ministers would be through “formal” channels till the Chief Minister apologised for the alleged attack in his presence.
