Last Update: May 16, 2023, 05:56 AM IST
In this January 16, 2023 photo, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Deputy CM Manish Sisodia and other AAP legislators take out a protest march to the office of LG VK Saxena over his alleged interference in the city’s governance. (PTI/FILE)
Services Secretary Ashish More was removed from his post by the Delhi government on May 11, hours after the Supreme Court order
Delhi Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar has called a meeting of the Civil Services Board (CSB) on May 16 to consider the AAP government’s directions on transfer of officers, including Services Secretary Ashish More, officials said on Monday.
This will be the first meeting of the CSB after a Supreme Court verdict placing bureaucrats working with the Delhi government (except those dealing with police, public order and land) under the elected government.
Earlier, the transfer and posting of all officers of the Delhi government was decided by the Lieutenant Governor.
On May 11, hours after the Supreme Court’s order, More was removed from his post by the Delhi government.
In an order, Services Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj said the two other members of the CSB, being junior to the chief secretary, who presides over the board’s meeting, may be unable to express their views “fearlessly” and directed That a draft of the meeting be prepared. in advance.
“The CSB consists of two Secretaries and is headed by the Chief Secretary. Both the secretaries are junior to the CS and are unable to express their views fearlessly in the physical meeting.
“Therefore, the views of the CSB members will be taken through circulation in the following manner – After preparing the first draft, the Secretary (Services) will then send the file to the second member who will note down his comments. He will then send the file to the CS. ‘
The Chief Secretary, after taking note of his comments, would submit the file to the Minister in-charge (Bhardwaj), if necessary, who would then take a final decision.
Bharadwaj also said that the chief secretary would not try to “influence” the preparation of the first draft in any way or “influence” the other two members of the CSB.
Sources claimed that the order to transfer More was issued bypassing the CSB, which deals with matters relating to transfer of IAS officers.
Officials said that the Chief Secretary has called a meeting of the CSB on Tuesday in compliance with the order of transfer of Bhardwaj’s officers and the decision of the Supreme Court.
Besides ordering More’s removal, Bhardwaj ordered that AK Singh be appointed in his place. The transfer order has not yet been implemented.
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed)
