Acted as per provisions of Constitution: Lt Governor Najeeb Jung

NEW DELHI: Rebutting Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for asking him to work "within the confines" of the Constitution" with respect to the appointment of Shakuntala Gamlin as acting Chief Secretary, Lt Governor Najeeb Jung today said he has "acted fully conscious of his duties and responsibilities under the Constitution of India".

Jung also revoked the Delhi government's order transferring Principal Secretary (Services), Arindam Majumdar, saying it does not have his approval and declared it as officially void. Majumdar had issued the appointment letter to Gamlin on the instructions of the Lt Governor.

"Lt Governor has acted fully conscious of his duties and responsibilities under the Constitution of India. Till date not a single action taken by the Lt Governor's Secretariat is in non-conformity with the provisions of the Constitution," said a statement issued by L-G Secretariat.

"In the instant case, the Chief Minister was duly consulted on file and the relevant notesheet is in public domain. The delay on the part of the Chief Minister of over 40 hours necessitated a direction from the Lt Governor that orders be issued," the statement said.

"It is a given that the office of the Chief Secretary cannot be left vacant. The Chief Secretary is required not just for normal work but for any emergency that may come up.

"The Lt Governor's Secretariat regrets the insinuation against a respected senior civil servant and the complaint will be examined as per procedure," it said.

The statement also said that it has been reported that the Principal Secretary (Services) Anindo Majumdar has been removed from his position.

"This does not have the approval of the Lt Governor, who is the Competent Authority to transfer officials of that rank," it said, declaring it as officially void.

Earlier in the day, Gamlin took charge as acting Chief Secretary despite Kejriwal's letter asking her not to do so as her appointment was "against" the rules. A US Marine helicopter, with eight people on board, went missing four days back while delivering aid in a mountainous region of earthquake-devastated Nepal, leaving all the eight dead.