New Delhi: Delhi government today sealed the office of Anindo Majumdar, who was removed as Principal Secretary (Services) by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, for clearing the appointment of Shakuntala Gamlin as acting Chief Secretary.
Delhi government is sparring Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung over the appointment of Gamlin and Majumdar has been caught in the crossfire.
A day after Majumdar cleared Gamlin's appointment, he was removed from his post. LG, however, voided his removal.
A news agency reported that the powers of Principal Secretary (Services) have been transferred to Kejriwal's Principal Secretary Rajendra Kumar.
The appointment that created controversy was to appoint an acting Principal Secretary for ten days as current Chief Secretary K K Sharma went on 10-day leave. LG appointed Shakuntala Gamlin, allegedly without consulting the Delhi government, which the later said was unconstitutional.
The government alleged that the LG does not have authority to make an appointment without consultation with the government. However, LG's office clarified that it has constitutional right to make such an appointment.
"Under Article 239 AA of the Constitution of India, the Lt. Governor is the representative of State Authority in Delhi. In appointment of Chief Secretary he is competent to designate the officiating Chief Secretary in consultation with the Hon'ble Chief Minister," LG's office said in a press release.
