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Kejriwal govt removes services secretary Ashish More hours after Supreme Court verdict
Prior to the verdict of the Supreme Court, the Services department was under the control of Delhi's Lieutenant Governor.
The AAP-led Delhi government removed services secretary Ashish More from his post on Thursday, hours after the Supreme Court gave the AAP dispensation control over the transfer and posting of officers in the state. Former Delhi Jal Board CEO A K Singh, a 1995-batch (AGMUT cadre) IAS officer, will replace More.
Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal at a press conference said a major administrative reshuffle was in the offing as he warned action against officials who “obstructed” public works. He said transfers will be made on the basis of the work the officers have done.
“Some officers, who in the last one and a half years obstructed the work of the people of Delhi, stopped the supply of medicines to mohalla clinics and hospitals, stopped water supply at some places...will have to pay for their deeds,” he said.
The chief minister stressed that the officers who are “efficient, honest, responsive and compassionate” will be given the opportunity to serve the people of Delhi.
“There will also be an overhaul of the administrative system. The entire system is rotten. We will create a system that is accountable and responsible towards the public,” he said.
The AAP government has blamed top officials including chief secretary Naresh Kumar, and principal secretary (finance) Ashish Chandra Verma for obstructing its work. HT reached out to Kumar and Verma for their responses to Kejriwal’s comments. But there were no immediate responses.
Earlier in the day, the apex court pronounced that the Delhi government has legislative and executive powers over the administration of services except for matters relating to public order, police and land. Prior to the verdict of the court, the Services department was under the control of Delhi's Lieutenant Governor.
