Najeeb Jung to Kejriwal: Power to appoint and transfer bureaucrats rests with me

NEW DELHI: The war over transfer of bureaucrats has escalated further in Delhi.

Najeeb Jung has written a letter to CM Arvind Kejriwal, saying the “power to appoint and to transfer, from steno to IAS officers, is with the lieutenant-governor”.

In the letter to chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, the LG challenged AAP government’s order to bureaucrats not to follow his directives without securing approval from the CM or any other minister, maintaining he has the power to decide on transfers and postings.

Jung also contested AAP government’s instructions to the officials to not route files through his office, saying he has been vested with power to decide on major policy issues.

In the letter, Jung explained constitutional provisions and norms laid down in Government of NCT of Delhi Act and transaction of business rules of the Delhi government, and asked the AAP government to follow the rules and procedures.

Jung said orders pertaining to transfers and postings by AAP government in the last four days were not valid as they did not have his approval.
Meanwhile, Union home minister Rajnath Singh said that “Delhi LG and CM should sit together and find a solution to the ongoing standoff”.

Rajnath was talking to reporters after meeting President Pranab Mukherjee.

“We did not discuss Delhi standoff,” Rajnath Singh said.