Delhi crisis shows failure of governance, says ex Delhi chief secy -Governance Now

Delhi crisis shows failure of governance, says ex Delhi chief secy

Umesh Sehgal, former chief secretary of Delhi, feels that instead of creating a void Kejriwal should bridge the gaps

Deexa Khanduri | June 14, 2018 | Delhi

#lieutenant governor #AAPvsLG #Umesh Sehgal #Delhi chief secretary #Arvind Kejriwal #AAP #Anil Baijal #Manish Sisodia

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal along with his cabinet ministers inside LG residence (Photo: Twitter/AAP)

The tussle between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and lieutenant governor of Delhi Anil Baijal has entered into its fourth day on Thursday. With no immediate solution to the ongoing ego-tussle, citizens are the mute sufferers.

Umesh Sehgal, former chief secretary of Delhi, feels that instead of creating a void, Kejriwal should bridge the gaps. “The ruling government is an idealist and lacks experience in understanding the real situation of the state. When AAP framed its manifestoes it did not realise that its promises can’t be fulfilled. Unlike other states, Delhi government doesn’t have direct influence over the land, police and many administrative decisions. National capital needs a cooperation between the lieutenant governor, the chief secretary and the chief minister. There are compromises in the power and AAP is in constant denial mode to accept it,” says Sehgal.

Since June 11 chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and half of his cabinet members have been spending nights at the LG’s guest room. Deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia and health minister Satyendra Jain are on an indefinite hunger strike. The Delhi government is demanding that IAS officers strike should be brought to an end. Kejriwal has also written to the prime minister Narendra Modi, seeking his intervention as the lieutenant governor has failed to break the impasse.

"Due to strike, several works are being affected. As L-G is doing nothing to end IAS officers' strike, Delhi government and the people of Delhi request you (PM) with folded hands to get the strike called off immediately so that works of Delhi can resume," Kejriwal wrote in the letter, which he tweeted on June 14.

Terming that the face-off between the AAP and the IAS office as something which is not new, Sehgal adds, “Tensions were there since they removed the first IAS officer Shakuntala Gamblin. But, officer like former principal secretary Rajendra Kumar and others played a negative role by boosting Kejriwal’s morale and attacking their own colleague.”

With no cabinet meetings in last two weeks and a tussle between IAS officers organisation and the Delhi government, undoubtedly, it is the common man who is suffering.

The decision making meeting on various matters, including the Signature Bridge, funds for the economically weaker section (EWS), construction of new Mohalla clinics, preparedness on rainy season outbreak and several others, are awaiting for a green signal.

Speaking in favour of IAS officers, Sehgal adds, “A chief secretary plays a key role while coordinating between the chief minister and the lieutenant governor. One can’t undermine his role or can’t level allegations against him. One needs to learn how to coordinate with the bureaucrats.”

Comments

Other News

Government divests 12% stakes in RITES; IPO opens on June 20

The railway infrastructure consulting PSU, RITES Limited is coming up with its IPO on June 20, 2018, as the government of India is selling its 24 million equity shares (12%) stake in the Mini Ratna PSU. As an initial public offering 25,200,000 equity shares are offered in which employee reservation portion

“This initiative is for future generations”

Speaking to Governance Now, Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani elaborates on the Sujalam Sufalam scheme to rejuvenate talavdis and desilt reservoirs and lakes. He also speaks on water, politics, and cons

Water by the pondful

It’s 10 am and in Dhandhuka town of Ahmedabad district, the sun is already scorching. A dry lake, which was desilted and deepened a few weeks back, has been turned into a venue for a fete. Shamianas have been erected, women in bright sarees and men and children in their best clothes flock the venue,

Thugs of Hindustan

This story may sound apocryphal but it was recounted by LK Advani in one of his casual conversations. Talking about Morarji Desai, he said that despite his idiosyncrasies, he was a man of impeccable integrity. To buttress his point Advani recalled this incident: After the Janata Party formed the government

IRCTC listing still lingering despite clearance in 2017

Ministry of railways’ decision of holding the listing of Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has exposed its seriousness in listing its public enterprises in stock exchanges. Although the decision was taken one year back, the national transporter does not have a com

The steel frame in peril

As a nervous, young IAS aspirant in 1977, I remember being thrilled to see my name in the newspapers when the list of successful candidates was published. Indeed, I was hoping to be allotted my home state, Kerala, but knew that my rank in the exams did not make that possible. Yet, I cannot deny being a lit

Current Issue

Video

Opinion

Twitter

Tweets by @governancenow