Create atmosphere for us to work in free, neutral manner: IAS officers to Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal

NEW DELHI: In the wake of a CBI raid at the office of the Delhi chief minister's secretary and the lodging of two FIRs against the Vigilance Secretary, an IAS officers' body today met Arvind Kejriwal seeking a "conducive atmosphere" that would allow them to work in a "free and neutral manner".

The babus demanded an "institutional mechanism" for dealing with bona fide policy decisions and administrative actions.

The association also sought an appointment with Lt Governor Najeeb Jung and the Union Home Secretary to take up issues concerning bureaucrats.

"There has to be an institutional mechanism... The Chief Minister has assured us that he will create a conducive atmosphere for officers to work in a free and neutral manner," said A Anbarasu, secretary of the AGMUT cadre IAS Officers' Association.

According to the association, the chief minister assured them that he would do all that is required to strengthen the institutional mechanisms.

The officers claimed they were being victimised due to the tussle between the Centre and AAP government in Delhi. They added that they want to work in a free, fair and neutral manner.

On December 17, Delhi Home Minister Satyendar Jain had tweeted, "Centre now demoralised many Delhi government officials, many of whom fear they might be targeted just for working with the Kejriwal govt (sic)."

On Wednesday, the IAS officers had also convened a meeting chaired by Chief Secretary KK Sharma at Delhi Secretariat, a few days after CBI raids at the office of Kejriwal's secretary Rajendra Kumar and the registration of two FIRs against Vigilance Secretary Chetan B Sanghi in an alleged corruption case.

Following the CBI raids, Kejriwal had slammed the Centre for targeting him and said that the investigation against Kumar was just an excuse.

The Centre and Delhi government have been at loggerheads over several issues, including the transfer and posting of bureaucrats, Commission of Inquiry in alleged CNG fitness Scam, control of the Anti-Corruption Branch.