Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal does not agree that control of the services department should be handed over to the Delhi government, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on July 6. It was the first time in the country's history that the Central government had openly refused to obey the apex court’s order, he alleged.
Mr. Kejriwal, who was talking to journalists after a 25-minute meeting with Mr. Baijal, the first after his nine-day sit-in in the Raj Niwas, said the LG had sought advice from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and was told that services should not be given to the Delhi government. This would lead to anarchy in the country, he added.
Mr. Kejriwal pointed out that the Supreme Court had said that except three subjects, the police, land and public order, the Delhi government will have executive power on other subjects.
Hours after the Supreme Court’s landmark judgement earlier this week, the Delhi government introduced a new system for transfer and postings of bureaucrats, making the Chief Minister the approving authority.
However, the services department refused to comply, saying the Supreme Court did not abolish the 2016 notification, which made the MHA the authority for transfers and postings.