After Cabinet reshuffle, bureaucratic rejig on cards

After changing the portfolios of her ministers, Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit may soon introduce bureaucratic reshuffle in her government.

After changing the portfolios of her ministers, Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit may soon introduce bureaucratic reshuffle in her government.

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While some changes may happen in the next few days, sources said several senior civil officers would be moved after the budget session of Delhi Assembly.

Though Dikshit managed to buy some time for her five top officials, who were transferred by the ministry of home affairs last Friday without taking her

into confidence, sources said Delhi government will have to relieve them one by one. The government also has to find replacement for a few officers who retired from the service in the past few weeks. Sources said some departments such as finance and excise are functioning without full-time heads. The government will also have to accommodate officers who were posted outside and have recently been transferred to Delhi. “The ministers may also have their preferences for specific officers to run the departments they have been given in the recent reshuffle,” said a senior government official, requesting anonymity.

Meanwhile, Dikshit appointed Mateen Ahmed as vice- chairman of Delhi Jal Board on Thursday. Ahmed, a four-time MLA from Seelampur in northeast Delhi, will replace Ramakant Goswami, who has been inducted as a minister in Dikshit’s cabinet.

With Walia divested from the urban development portfolio, Delhi government may also replace him as the chairman of the committee appointed to look

into the MCD restructuring issue. Sources said by virtue of being urban development minister now, Rajkumar Chauhan may soon be appointed as the new chairman of the committee. Since Walia is holding revenue department now, sources said he will continue to be a member of the committee.

“The file with terms of references of the committee has been moved in this regard. The chief minister will take a decision soon,” the official said.