Mass leave protest: Professionals should replace bureaucrats, says Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal

NEW DELHI: Reacting strongly to the mass leave protest of DANICS and AGMUT IAS cadre officers working with Delhi government on Thursday, chief minister Arvind Kejriwal said it was time to “replace bureaucrats with professionals and sector experts”.

The ministry of home affairs came to the rescue of the officers by overturning the suspension of the two DANICS officers ordered by Delhi home minister Satyendra Jain. “The home ministry has received a reference from the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi on the suspension of two DANICS officers. It declares the suspension order is 'non est' (mistake or does not exist) and the two officers should be considered deemed to be on duty,” said a home ministry spokesperson.

Despite the bureaucrats’ massive protest and receiving a setback from the Centre a day before the odd and even car scheme comes into effect, Kejriwal didn’t yield saying citizens will be “happy” if the officers go on leave.

“Time has come to replace bureaucrats with professionals and sector experts. Infuse fresh energy and ideas in governance. People will be happy if these officers go on long leave. Govt ready to give paid leave. Governance will become honest, smooth and efficient,” Kejriwal said. But his attack was not limited to the bureaucrats.

The Delhi CM claimed that Lieutenant Governer Najeeb Jung “personally attended” Wednesday’s meeting of the DANICS Association “through speakerphone” and was even “in touch with Nripendra Mishra (sic) in PMO”. Mishra is the Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Dragging in the PMO and BJP into this battle, Kejriwal said the protesting IAS and DANICS (Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands Civil Service) associations had become the “B teams of BJP”.

He maintained Modi was “firing through the shoulders of the officers and LG”. He made it clear that the government will not be lenient against the protesting officers. “Government exploring all options against officers who are on leave today. Chori aur seenajori? (Sic.) Government will not tolerate corruption and insubordination,” he said.

The officers’ agitation has instilled strong feeling of apprehension among officers of the association. “Anything could happen tomorrow when we go for work,” one official told ET. The official said anywhere between 150-160 DANICS and 70 AGMUT cadre officers may have gone on a mass leave in protest against home minister Satyendra Jain.

The official brushed aside worries about the move impacting the odd and even scheme’s rollout. “We have been preparing for a month. One day’s absence won’t disrupt or adversely affect it,” he said.