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

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

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.”

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