AAP govt suspends 2 Home Dept officers, Home Ministry rejects suspension

The two officers refused to sign on a Cabinet decision file to increase the salary of public prosecutors

In a move that could further escalate the tussle between the AAP govt and the Centre, the Union Home Ministry has rejected the suspension of two senior civil service officers, by the state government. 

Yesterday, two senior civil service officers of the Home Department were suspended by the AAP government for refusing to sign on a Cabinet decision file, following which around 200 DANICS-cadre officers threatened to go on mass leave in solidarity.

Yashpal Garg, special secretary (Prosecution), and Subhash Chandra, special secretary (Prisons), have been suspended, a Delhi government spokesperson said.

The action, threatening to blow into another AAP-Centre confrontation, was taken after Garg and Chandra refused to sign a file pertaining to the Cabinet decision to increase salary of public prosecutors, the spokesperson said.

Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands Civil Service (DANICS) are selected through civil servic exams conducted by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).

Officers of the service are recruited directly through the Civil Services Examination and are responsible for the diverse administrative functions of the National Capital, Delhi and the Union Territories.

Supporting the DANICS Officers's Association's move to go on mass leave, IAS officers also threatened to go on a half-day leave.

There are around 70 IAS officers working in different departments of the national capital.

"IAS officers will also go on a half-day leave tomorrow supporting the DANICS officers Association. There was a joint meeting of IAS and DANICS officers today wherein a resolution was passed against the suspension of two DANICS officers working the Home Department," said an IAS officer yesterday. 

The Kejriwal government's decision is expected to lead to fresh tussle with the Centre as only the Delhi Lt Governor can suspend DANICS-cadre officers with permission from the Union Home Ministry.

If DANICS-cadre officers in Delhi go on mass leave, preparations for the odd-even scheme, which will come into force on January 1, may be affected as most of these officers are looking after the projects pertaining to the road-rationing plan.

The DANICS Officers' Association comprise around 200 members who hold crucial posts including that of SDM, secretary to minister and special secretary.

"Delhi Government does not have power to suspend any DANICS officer and it can only recommend suspension of DANICS officer and on this, LG can suspend him or her with permission from MHA.

"To express solidarity with the two suspended officers, around 200 DANICS officers, who are working in government's different departments, will go on leave for one day," a representative of the association said.

It has apprised Union Home Minister of the development. It also demanded that the Delhi government revoke the suspension.

Reacting to DANICS officers' Association's move, the government spokesperson said, "We have not got any official communication from the association. If they want to go on leave, they can do so."

Recently, the Arvind Kejriwal had suspended three transport department officials, including a DANICS-cadre officer, for alleged "wrongdoings" in issuing letter of intents to auto drivers at Burari Transport Authority.

Earlier this month, Kejriwal had also suspended two sub-divisional magistrates for failing to provide instant relief to victims whose jhuggis were demolished by Railways in West Delhi's Shakur Basti area.

However, these two SDMs are still holding their posts and doing their work.