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.”

Comments

Other News

As nation lighted lamps, power grid delivered

As Indians switched off lights in homes and lighted lamps and candles Sunday night following prime minister Narendra Modi’s appeal as a gesture of solidarity in the fight against COVID-19, the power grid held up well despite the sudden drop in demand. In a short video message on Friday

3 out of 4 Covid-19 patients in 21-60 yrs age group

Contrary to the perception that the elderly are more at risk from Covid-19, in India as many as 41.88% of corona positive cases are between 21 to 40 years of age. Also, 32.82% positive cases are between 41 to 60 years, followed by 16.69% cases above the age of 60 years and 8.61% coronavirus positive cases

Why everyone should wear mask

In view of the increasing number of COVID -19 cases in the country, the ministry of health and family welfare (MoHFW) has now advised that everyone must voluntarily wear a mask and especially those living in densely populated areas. Not just as a matter of maintaining personal hygiene

Fighting Covid-19, India has realized its collective strength: PM

In the face of the Covid-19 pandemic, people of India have realized their collective strength, prime minister Narendra Modi said in a short video message Friday morning. He also urged people to light lamps Sunday night as a gesture of this collectivity. “Today marks nine days of the na

COVID-19 demobilisation: Lessons for public governance

Demobilization, like its predecessor – demonetization, is another decision gone bad in implementation. In both instances a careful public administrative action through its governance systems could have saved the magnitude of impact particularly on the most vulnerable sections of the society. Th

Don’t fear Corona, fight it

In a bid to break the “chain of transmission” of the deadly Covid-19, India, a country with more than 1.3 billion population, observed a voluntary ‘Janata Curfew’ on March 22. This has been followed by a 21-day, nationwide lockdown from March 24. Prime minister Narendra Modi also re