LG transfers Delhi govt officials; CM hits out at PM

New Delhi, Aug 30 (PTI) Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Junghas ordered transfer of several senior officials engaged inflagship projects of the AAP government, prompting ChiefMinister Arvind Kejriwal to accuse Prime Minister NarendraModi of being "hell bent" to "destroy" Delhi. This is the first major reshuffle by the Lt Governor inPublic Works Department (PWD) and Environment and HealthDepartments following the Delhi High Court ruling that the LtGovernor is the administrative head of the national capital. Jung has replaced Health secretary Tarun Seem with IASofficer Chandrakar Bharti while Ashwani Kumar has beenappointed as new PWD Secretary in place of non-IAS cadreoffice Sarvagya Srivastava. In the wake of the HC order that stamped the primacy ofthe LG in the city administration, Deputy Chief MinisterManish Sisodia had requested Jung not to transfer Seem andSrivastava as they were handling flagship projects — settingup of mohalla clinics and construction of new school buildings– of the Kejriwal government. "Today, several officers transferred by LG directly.Files not even shown to CM or any minister. Is this Modi modelof democracy?… Manish Sisodia requested LG not to transferthese two officers looking after works of setting mohallaclinics and new schools till March 31, but he (LG) did notrelent," Kejriwal tweeted. Reacting strongly to the LG’s order, Sisodia said that ifquality of health and education deteriorates, Modi will beresponsible as he is creating hurdles in the functioning ofthe AAP government. "We have got to know that Modiji has asked LG on phone totransfer these two offices. Modi can go to any extent. Ifeducation and health quality deteriorates, Modiji will beresponsible for this," he said. In another order, Jung has created approving authoritiesfor transfer and postings of officers of IAS, DANICS and DASScadres, Principal private secretaries, suspending all previousorders of the AAP government. In the order, Jung said the LG will be the approvingauthority for transfer and postings of IAS, DANICS, All IndiaService Officers, equivalent officers of central civilservices. But for DASS Grade I/II, principal privatesecretary, senior personal assistant, the Chief Secretary willbe the approving authority. Besides, Secretary (Services) has been appointed as theapproving authority for transfer and postings of DASS GradeIII/IV and Grade II/III (Stenographer) while AdministrativeSecretary/Head of Department will look after transfers andpostings of other employees of cadre/ex-cadre within thedepartment concerned. (MORE) PTI KND/BUNSMN