Almost all senior bureaucrats of Delhi Government today went on mass leave protesting suspension of two officials, an action declared void by the Centre, setting the stage for yet another tussle between the two sides as AAP dispensation called the strike part of a “conspiracy” to “fail” the odd-even scheme.
While around 200 DANICS-cadre officers went on a day-long mass-leave, over 70 IAS officials struck work from 9 AM to 2 PM, expressing protesting AAP government’s action against Yashpal Garg and Subhash Chandra, both Special Secretaries.
The two DANICS (Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands Civil Service) cadre officials, serving at the Home Department, were suspended after they refused to sign a file pertaining to the Cabinet decision to increase salary of public prosecutors.
A defiant Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal sent out a stern warning to agitating officers saying government was exploring “all options” against those who are on leave today.
He said government will not tolerate corruption and insubordination.
“DANICS and IAS associations in Delhi have become full fledged B teams of BJP,” Kejriwal said, while accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of “firing” at the AAP government through the Lt Governor and the officers.
In a series of tweets, he also said time has come to replace bureaucrats with professionals and sector experts to infuse fresh energy and ideas in governance.
“People will be very happy if these officers go on long leave. Govt is ready to give paid leave. Governance will become honest, smooth and efficient,” he said.
Hours after the Home Ministry declared the punitive action against the officials as null and void, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia also questioned the timing of the protest by the bureaucrats, calling it part of a conspiracy to ensure failure of the odd-even scheme being rolled out tomorrow.
“Why they have decided to go on mass leave just a day before start of the odd-even scheme. It is part of conspiracy so that we fail to implement the scheme…the PMO and the Lt Governor’s office were in direct contact with DANICS officers when they were holding a meeting yesterday,” alleged Sisodia.
Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands Civil Service (DANICS) are selected through civil service exams conducted by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and the Union Home Ministry is their cadre-controlling authority.
PTI