Delhi LG terminates services of 400 specialists; AAP government says Saxena acting illegally
Karam Prakash
New Delhi, July 3
In a major blow to Delhi’s Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Government, Delhi LG VK Saxena on Monday ordered the termination of services of about 400 private persons — engaged in Delhi Government.
Hitting back, the AAP government said the LG does not have the power to do so and that he was acting illegally.
Delhi Government, in its various departments and agencies had hired these individualsas Fellows, Advisers, Specialists, Senior Research Officers and Consultants.
Delhi LG claimed that those private persons had been engaged in a non-transparent manner, without the mandatory approvals of the competent authority, by flouting the constitutional provisions of reservation and through backdoor entry without meeting the qualifications and experience.
Reacting sharply, Delhi Government said, “LG does not have the power to do so. He is acting illegally. These fellows were from top colleges and universities such as IIM Ahmedabad, Delhi School of Economics, NALSAR, JNU, NIT, London School of Economics, Cambridge etc. and were doing excellent work in various departments. They were all hired following due process and administrative norms. This unconstitutional decision will be challenged before the court of law.”
As per the LG office officials, while appointing these private persons the mandatory reservation policy for SC, ST and OBC candidates prescribed by the Department of Personnel and Training was not followed.
LG Office said Delhi Government Services Department found that several of such engaged private persons did not even fulfil educational qualifications and work experience as laid down in the advertisements issued for the posts.
“The administrative departments concerned also did not verify the veracity of work experience certificates submitted by these private persons, which were found to be fudged and manipulated in many cases,” said an official.
The Delhi LG has accepted the proposal of the Services Department that all Delhi Government Departments, Corporations, Boards, Societies, and other autonomous bodies — under their administrative control — have to immediately terminate the engagements of these private persons, wherein the LG’s competent authority’s approval has not been obtained.
“If any administrative department finds it appropriate to continue such engagements, it may propose the detailed cases with proper justification and forward them to the Services Department, GNCTD for onward submission to Lieutenant Governor for consideration and approval.
Notably, Delhi’s Services Department had compiled the information received from 23 Departments, Autonomous Bodies, and PSUs that have engaged such private persons as specialists.
During the scrutiny by the Services Department, it was found that 69 persons were engaged in the 5 departments of Archaeology, Environment, Delhi Archives, Women and Child Development and Industries without approval.
“It was noticed by the Services Department that Departments like Environment, Archaeology, Delhi Archives, Women and Child Development and Industries have not obtained the approval of the competent authority, before engaging these private persons,” said an official of the LG Office.
Similarly, 13 Boards and autonomous bodies – which had engaged 155 persons – did not take the necessary approval.
“No information was provided to the Services Department about the engagements of 187 persons in Delhi Assembly Research Centre (DARC), Dialogue and Development Commission of Delhi (DDCD), and Department of Planning,” said an official.
The Lieutenant-Governor directed that all concerned should comply with the Services Department’s instructions failing which action, as may deem fit including departmental proceeding (DP), may be initiated against the concerned Administrative Secretary.
