Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal slams Centre over transfer of bureaucrats, writes to Home Minister

NEW DELHI: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today slammed the Centre over the transfer of two senior bureaucrats, saying it was the "limit" as the steps were taken without "consulting" the AAP government, and shot off a letter to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh.

According to a senior officer, the Home Ministry has ordered the transfer of senior IAS officers Vijay Kumar, who was serving as the VAT commissioner, and Padmini Singla, Director of Education.

Criticising the move in a series of tweets, Kejriwal said, "Without consulting elected government, Modi government transfers two of our best officers out of Delhi, VAT commissioner and Director Education (sic)."

"Sends one of them to Lakshdweep. Ab to hadd hi ho gayee (this is the limit). Is this cooperative federalism (sic)?" he asked.

Kumar, who has also served as Delhi Jal Board CEO and Food and Supplies Commissioner, has been appointed as the Administrator (Lakshadweep Administration), while H Rajesh Prasad, holding that post presently, has been transferred to Delhi.

A senior government official confirmed that the Chief Minister has also written a letter to Singh expressing his displeasure over the issue.

This comes in the backdrop of a turf war between Kejriwal and Lt-Governor Najeeb Jung over several issues pertaining to jurisdiction in governance, including appointments and transfers of bureaucrats, with both sides claiming authority.