New Delhi: Hours after the Supreme Court decided to give control over transfers and postings of officers, the Delhi government has removed Service Secretary Ashish More.
Delhi Services Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj has issued an order to change the service secretary.
Ashish More has been removed from the post of Services Secretary. Anil Kumar Singh will be the new Secretary Services of Delhi. Singh is a 1995 batch IAS officer. He has been the CEO of the Jal Board.
The Supreme Court on Thursday ordered the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government to give control over transfers and postings. The Court ruled that the Delhi government has legislative and governmental powers with regard to services other than matters like public order, police and land.
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said in the press conference that there will be a big administrative reshuffle in the government. He warned of action against officials “obstructing” public works. Prior to the Supreme Court verdict, the services department was under the control of the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi.
The Supreme Court’s decision on the right to transfer and posting of officers in the case of Delhi Government vs Lieutenant Governor is a big victory for the Delhi government.
However, the Supreme Court said that the Center has the right over law and order, public order, land related issues and police in Delhi. The Delhi government has administrative authority on the rest of the issues. The LG is obliged to assist on the advice of the Delhi government.
The Supreme Court said that the federal system ends when the Centre takes over all legislative powers. The principle of federalism should be respected. The Centre cannot take over all legislative, appointing powers. If the elected government cannot control the officers, how will it fulfil the collective responsibility for the people? The Delhi government has the right over the transfer posting of officers.