Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has hinted at a major bureaucratic reshuffle in the National Capital hours after the Supreme Court verdict on the power tussle between the Lieutenant Governor and the elected government. This move started with a change in the Services Secretary, as per the sources.
Mr. Kejriwal recently met with Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal after the Supreme Court verdict in this matter. Right after this meeting, he held a meeting with Manoj Parida, the Services Secretary. Sources suggest that Mr. Kejriwal has decided to replace Mr. Parida with senior IAS officer Rajeev Verma.
As per the sources, this switch is just the beginning of more changes in the bureaucratic structure of the Delhi government. Mr. Kejriwal has reportedly asked his cabinet colleagues to provide feedback on non-performing officials in their departments. An official announcement is expected in the coming days.
This move comes after the Supreme Court verdict that restricted the powers of the Lieutenant Governor in Delhi. The apex court stated that the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi does not have the power to interfere in every decision taken by the elected government of the National Capital and that he is bound by the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers.
Delhi has been in the midst of a political power struggle between the Chief Minister and the Lieutenant Governor since 2015, with the Lieutenant Governor being accused of stalling key decisions taken by the elected government.
Mr. Kejriwal has long demanded greater autonomy for the Delhi government in matters of governance. With the recent Supreme Court verdict, Mr. Kejriwal and his government have finally been granted some relief in their battle for power.
The Services Department is one of the most important departments under the Delhi government, responsible for managing the bureaucracy of the National Capital. With this move, Mr. Kejriwal seems to be sending a clear message to his bureaucratic officials that under-performers will not be tolerated.
Overall, this move by Mr. Kejriwal marks a major shift in the Delhi government’s bureaucratic structure. It remains to be seen how the other changes proposed by the Chief Minister will play out, and whether this move will lead to greater efficiency and improved governance for the people of Delhi.