Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal addressing a press conference in Delhi | Photo Credit: Sushil Kumar Verma
New Delhi
The Arvind Kejriwal-led government had on May 18 forwarded PK Gupta’s name to the Center for appointment as the new Chief Secretary of Delhi. Meanwhile, the Kejriwal government has sent a proposal to the Center through Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena to appoint Mr Gupta as the new Chief Secretary of Delhi. Shri Gupta, a 1989 batch IAS officer, is currently serving as Additional Chief Secretary in the General Administration Department (GAD), Government of Delhi. Presently Naresh Kumar is the Chief Secretary of Delhi.
The move comes days after a significant Supreme Court judgment gave executive power to the Delhi government in matters of services, including transfer and posting of officers. On May 11, the Supreme Court said that the division of administrative powers between the Center and the Delhi government “must be respected” and held that the Delhi government has “legislative and executive power over services” in the national capital, barring bureaucrats, Those related to public order, police and land.
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A five-judge Constitution bench comprising Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justices MR Shah, Krishna Murari, Hima Kohli and PS Narasimha observed, “The division of administrative powers between the Union and the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi (NCTD) as Explained – to be respected.” The top court, in its 105-page judgement, said the Delhi government is not at par with other union territories.
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The top court’s decision came amid a tussle between Delhi and the central government over the contentious issue of controlling administrative services in Delhi over transfers and postings of officers in the national capital.