‘Centre is openly refusing to accept SC order’: Arvind Kejriwal after meeting LG Anil Baijal

“We told the LG that as per the SC verdict, the Services [Department] should be with the Delhi government. But he refused to accept it,” Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal told the media after meeting Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal. This is the first meeting between the two in the aftermath of the historic Supreme Court verdict. He added that the apex court in its judgment very clearly said that except three subjects, the Delhi government will exercise executive powers on all subjects. The Services Department carries out transfer and posting of officers working with the Delhi government.

Kejriwal told the reporters at his residence, “LG sahab said that he has been advised by the MHA [Ministry of Home Affairs] that the Services Department will stay with the LG. Why? They are arguing that the Supreme Court has not set aside the MHA order of 2015 [which gave the LG powers over the services],” Kejriwal said. This is despite the Supreme Court’s latest order, Kejriwal emphasised.

Kejriwal further claimed that LG said: “Mein [LG] to MHA ki baat manunga kyunki mein Kendra sarkar ka pratinidhi hoon. (LG Baijal said that I will follow the MHA’s advice as I am the Central government’s representative.)”

He added, “Probably, for the first time in the history of India, the Central government is openly refusing to accept the Supreme Court’s orders. If this sets a precedence, then it will lead to anarchy in the country.” Meanwhile, Kejriwal said that Baijal has assured cooperation on all other affairs.

Kejriwal and his deputy Manish Sisodia had gone to meet LG Baijal to discuss the SC verdict and Delhi’s governance-related affairs.

Following the meeting, the LG’s office also issued a statement. It said that the SC while addressing the matter related to the nine pleas, including one related to the services, has directed to place the matters before the appropriate regular bench. The statement said that the MHA May 21, 2015, notification issued under the Article 239 and 239AA of the Constitution states that “Services falls outside the purview of the Legislative Assembly of the NCT of Delhi” and the government.