Services tussle continues as LG & Kejriwal disagree

Two days after AAP staked claim to the 'services' department of the Delhi government, Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal has reportedly shot off a letter to chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday saying that the 'services' department cannot be handed to the Delhi government due to a 2015 MHA notifiication that is yet to be decided upon by a regular bench in the Supreme Court.

A statement issued by Baijal's office said even as the SC has laid down that the concurrence of the LG is not required on the decisions of Council of Ministers, the state government has to keep the LG informed to enable him to 'exercise' his powers under Article 239AA (4) that allow him to refer 'special' matters to the President.

Baijal had reportedly sought the advice of the Centre on the issue on Thursday as authority over the department that deals with appointments and transfers of officer became a new flashpoint between the LG and the Kejriwal government.


Baijal said the Government of India has advised that the notification 'continued to be valid'.

The statement added that the LG 'assures continued support and cooperation' to the CM.

Meanwhile, addressing a press conference after the meeting, Kejriwal said it was the first time in India's history that Centre had openly refused to obey the apex court's order.

"If the government doesn’t follow orders of the Supreme Court, there will be anarchy," he said. Meanwhile, the home ministry said it has not advised the LG to ignore any part of SC order. “This is a misleading statement. MHA has only advised the LG, based on a reference received from him, to follow the law.”

The statement added that it would be against law to take a final view on matter related to services which is pending before a regular bench.