Delhi's food department has referred a file on the ambitious doorstep delivery of ration scheme to the law department, prompting the AAP government to hit out the Centre and allege that a "game of files" is being played through bureaucrats using a "distorted" interpretation of the Supreme Court's recent verdict.
The food department referred the file to the law department seeking its opinion, days after all objections in the scheme were "overruled" and was cleared by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
An official said views of the law department were sought on whether the scheme can be implemented without clearance from the Centre because it comes under the provision of National Food Safety Act.
Reacting to the development, Kejriwal alleged that it showed the "complicity" of the officers and Lt Governor.
"This news clearly shows the complicity of the officer and the Lt Governor. It is evident that the officers are being asked to stop working," he tweeted.
Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia alleged that the Centre was "bullying" its way by not obeying the Supreme Court's verdict that empowered the Delhi government to take decisions on subjects other than land, police and public service.
He cited the doorstep rations delivery scheme, CCTV camera project and bonus to DSIDC workers which were facing problems due to "obstructions" raised by the bureaucrats.
"The Centre on the basis of a notification has kept the services with the LG. This is bullying so that decisions take by us are not implemented because the officers side with them," he charged in a press conference.
The Supreme Court must be watching how a "mockery" of its judgement is being made by denying Delhi government control over services, he said.
Sisodia charged that the Food Commissioner of Delhi government has "refused" to implement the doorstep ration delivery scheme. "He says that he will consult law department. A game of files is being played through the commissioners and IAS officers using a distorted interpretation of the Supreme Court verdict."
He said the Delhi government wants to curb black marketing of rations of public distribution system through the doorstep delivery scheme but the BJP, the Centre and the LG through the officers are obstructing it which raises question over their motive, he said.
He alleged that the Centre is "using" officers by keeping the "services" department with LG.
The power tussle between the Delhi government and the LG have been going on for quite sometime now, mainly on the control of services department. The Supreme Court in its July 4 verdict had said that barring three issues of public order, police and land, the Delhi government has the power to legislate and govern on other issues and had also clipped the powers of the LG.
Kejriwal on July 6 had said he had "overruled all objections" and approved the doorstep delivery of rations.
Although Kejriwal had directed the food department to immediately implement the plan, Lt Governor Anil Baijal had objected to the ambitious proposal and asked the AAP dispensation to consult the Centre before executing it.
Kejriwal also met Home Minister Rajnath Singh at his residence to discuss the situation arising out of the Supreme Court's verdict on the power tussle between the former's government and the Centre.
After the meeting, Kejriwal said that the Centre and LG were interpreting the order in a strange manner.
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