Delhi government and the Central government are at loggerheads yet again. The Ministry of Home Affairs has overturned the Delhi government's order to suspend two DANICS-cadre officers.
On the other hand, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government is claiming of conspiracy behind over 200 officers taking mass leave on Thursday. Delhi Health Minister Satyendra Jain has cried foul over the officers' decision to approach Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung instead of speaking to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
The officers are protesting against the Delhi government's decision to suspend two senior civil service officers of the Home Department for refusing to sign a file pertaining to the Cabinet decision to increase salary of public prosecutors. Following the government's decision, around 200 DANICS-cadre officers have taken mass leave on Thursday to show their solidarity with the officers. As per sources, even IAS officers attached to the Delhi government have taken half-day leave in protest.
Special Secretary (Prosecution) Yashpal Garg and Special Secretary (Prisons) Subhash Chandra are the officers who have been suspended.
The Kejriwal government's decision may lead to fresh tussle with the Centre as only the Delhi Lt Governor can suspend DANICS-cadre officers with permission from the Union Home Ministry.
With DANICS-cadre officers in Delhi on mass leave on Thursday, preparations for the odd-even scheme, which will come into force on January 1, 2016, may be affected as most of these officers are looking after the projects pertaining to the road-rationing plan. The DANICS Officers' Association comprise around 200 members who hold crucial posts including that of SDM, secretary to minister and special secretary.
"Delhi government does not have power to suspend any DANICS officer and it can only recommend suspension of DANICS officer and on this, L-G can suspend him or her with permission from MHA. To express solidarity with the two suspended officers, around 200 DANICS officers, who are working in government's different departments, will go on leave tomorrow for one day," a representative of the association said.
It has apprised Union Home Minister of the development. It also demanded that the Delhi government revoke the suspension. Reacting to DANICS officers' Association's move, the government spokesperson said, "We have not got any official communication from the association. If they want to go on leave, they can do so."
Recently, the Arvind Kejriwal had suspended three transport department officials, including a DANICS-cadre officer, for alleged "wrongdoings" in issuing letter of intents to auto drivers at Burari Transport Authority.
Earlier in December, Kejriwal had also suspended two sub-divisional magistrates for failing to provide instant relief to victims whose jhuggis were demolished by Railways in West Delhi's Shakur Basti area. However, these two SDMs are still holding their posts and doing their work.
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