New Delhi: The controversy surrounding appointment of Shakuntala Gamlin as an acting Delhi Chief Secretary by Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung has further escalated today with the removal of Principal Secretary (Services) Anindo Majumdar and lock down of latter's office.
Delhi government transferred his official powers to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's secretary Rajender Kumar. However, the decision has been annulled by the LG.
Here is the summarised version of entire controversy for better understanding.
1. Delhi Chief Secretary K K Sharma, a 1983 batch IAS officer, went on leave for 10 days, from May 14 to May 24, for personal reasons. In his absence, it became necessary to appoint an acting Delhi Secretary.
2. On May 13, Sharma asked Principal Secretary of Services Anindo Majumdar to issue a note regarding appointment of an interim Chief Secretary during his absence for 10 days. Majumdar suggested four names- Naini Jayaseelan, Sanjay Pratap Singh, Arvind Ray and Shakuntala Gamlin.
3. Sharma approved Naini Jayaseelan's name for acting Chief Secretary and marked the file to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his Deputy Manish Sisodia. Naini refused to take charge and Sisodia rejected the name of S P Singh and Arvind Ray. They finalised the name of Parimal Rai as acting chief secretary.
4. Following which the file was sent to LG Najeeb Jung, who stated that Shakuntala Gamlin, 1984 batch IAS officer, is the senior most among the two and forwarded the file back to CM. After awaiting CM's reply till May 15, Jung approved Gamlin to officiate as acting CS with immediate effect.
5. On May 16, the next day of appointment, Kejriwal sent a letter to Gamlin asking her to not to take charge as acting Chief Secretary of Delhi and mentioned that her appointment is against the laid down norms.
6. Shakuntla Gamlin, however, ignored CM Arvind Kejriwal and took over the charge. On the other hand Parimal Rai, who was backed by Kejriwal, refused to be acting Chief Secretary, citing that Lt Governor's directions should be respected.
7. Hours after Gamlin took charge, Delhi CM wrote a strong worded letter to LG Jung, accusing him of trying to portray the Delhi government as ‘ineffective' and breaching the set rules. Kejriwal is also said to have sought an appointment with President to communicate him the issue.
8. Nazeeb Jung clarified his stand saying he “acted fully conscious of his duties and responsibilities under the Constitution of India”. He also invalidated Delhi government's decision of transferring Principal Secretary (Services), Arindam Majumdar, saying it was not approved by him.
9. On 18 May, Delhi Government removed Anindo Majumdar from the post of Principal Secretary and locked down his office, because he cleared Shakuntala Gamlin's appointment. In his place, Delhi CM's Secretary Rajendra Kumar was appointed as Principal Secretary of Services Department.
10. The LG objected to the removal and shot off a letter to Kejriwal announcing Kumar's appointment in place of Majumdar "void".
Meanwhile, Shakuntala Gamlin, the acting Delhi CS, met with Home Secretary LC Goyal in the evening. As per sources, Home Ministry has been appraised by the Lt Governor regarding the scenario after Gamlin's appointment.
