Delhi L-G Anil Baijal tells CM Arvind Kejriwal to ‘urgently’ meet IAS officers

A week after Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal began his strike at the Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal’s office, the L-G addressed the issue by asking Kejriwal to meet IAS officers at the Delhi Secretariat.

Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal on Tuesday wrote to Arvind Kejriwal asking him to “urgently meet” IAS officers to address the concerns from both sides in his first communication to the chief minister since he began a sit-in protest at his office.

Lieutenant Governor of Delhi Anil Baijal (PTI File Photo)

Baijal wrote to Kejriwal in response to his deputy Manish Sisodia’s request for a meeting between the government and bureaucrats to end the impasse.

“The L-G requested the CM to urgently meet the officers at the Secretariat so that apprehensions and concerns of both sides can be suitably addressed through dialogue in the best interest of the people of Delhi,” a statement from Baijal’s office said.

It said Baijal had earlier advised the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government to make efforts to restore trust between the elected government and the officers.

“The L-G stated that he was glad that the CM had tweeted an appeal to the officers assuring them of safety and security in their interactions with the elected government,” the statement added.

Kejriwal and Sisodia, along with health minister Satyendar Jain and labour minister Gopal Rai, began a sit-in protest at Baijal’s office on June 11 over their demands, including a direction to Indian Administrative Service or IAS officers to end their “strike”.

IAS AGMUT (Arunachal, Goa, Mizoram and Union Territories) Association tweeted earlier on Tuesday that they are waiting for a formal communication from Kejriwal on his assurance of providing security to them.

They reiterated that they were not on strike and were ready for a meeting in Delhi Secretariat.

The IAS officers said on Monday they were open to formal discussions to end the impasse in Delhi, a day after Kejriwal assured them their safety and dignity.

“I wish to assure them that I will ensure their safety and security with all my powers and resources available at my command. I have given similar assurances earlier also to many officers who have been meeting me privately. I reiterate it,” Kejriwal said on Sunday.

(With PTI inputs)