Ministry of Home Affairs rejects government stand on home secretary

NEW DELHI: The Union home ministry has reportedly reiterated its stand on the appointment of Delhi's home secretary to chief secretary KK Sharma. In the ongoing letter wars between the state, LG and Centre, MHA's latest communication came last week as a counter to a communication from the Kejriwal government where the latter made the point that the state has the power to remove IAS officer Dharampal as home secretary.

The home ministry has rejected the state's view citing constitutional provisions and transaction of business rules that the ministry was the boss in the matter.

In the latest strongly-worded letter to the chief secretary, the MHA through a joint secretary has stated that removal of the home secretary and secretary in-charge of land and building has to be done by the state after consulting with the ministry. It has also rejected the state's argument that there have been precedents where home secretaries have been appointed by the state and approval of MHA sought later.

The recent round of letter exchanges happened after thelieutenant governor appointed joint commissioner of police M K Meena as the ACB chief and Dharampal notified the order in the capacity of home secretary. The state had moved to remove Dharampal for notifying the order without consulting the CM. The government also held to its stand that none but additional commissioner of police SS Yadav was the ACB chief as there was no post of joint commissioner of police in ACB. Kejriwal then handed over Dharampal's charge to principal secretary Rajendra Kumar.

Meanwhile, tension has been brewing as the two home secretaries are struggling to assert their authority. IAS officer Dharampal, who is holding charge in keeping with the LG's directions, is keeping a vigil on file movement ensuring that no documents are taken away by anyone without his approval from his office. However, the CM's chosen official Rajendra Kumar is learnt to be processing files that were on the way last week.