Perfect Case Of Relations Souring

I will simply list some facts, data and evidence바카라�and leave it to the reader to judge whether the Arvind Kejriwal government in Delhi doesn바카라�t warrant dismi­ssal under the Constitution to be replaced by a regime that respects rules. Constitu­tional authorities must analyse those documented 30-odd serious violations of law from 2015 till date and then take a call on whether legally바카라�not just morally바카라�this government should exist or perish.

Critics of the Kejriwal government acc­use it of four kinds of misdemeanour. First, loot the treasury and assign monetary as well as other benefits to its volunteers. Two, engage in a job generation programme바카라�again, for its volunteers. Three, subvert every norm to ensure the above. Four, attribute every failure of its (mis)governance to the Union governm­ent in some manner and garner sympathy at every step. Let바카라�s now see whether or not these allegations have merit.

The Aam Aadmi Party was elec­ted  three years ago with huge and unprecedented aspirations of people powering it, with an educated professional leading it바카라�and sadly the fall has been unprecedented too. The regime decided to interpret Delhi as a full-fledged state government. Now, that was not under the law바카라�as later confirmed by the judiciary. The High Court also pointed out the sup­remacy of the lieutenant governor, appointed by Presi­dent of India, as the administrator for Delhi. Relying on its perverse understanding and assuming existing notifications to be inoperative (which they were not in the absence of any direction from courts or the Gover­nment of India), the Kejriwal regime went on a deeply colourable exercise of illegally grabbed authority. That was for six things: make arbitrary appointme­nts of unqualified pers­ons (in some INS­tances close relati­ves of ministers); constitute/reconstitute statutory boards without authority; seek refuge in 바카라�councils바카라� decisions바카라� with­out following due process of law; exercise statutory powers that did not belong to the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi; confer benefits on the AAP, its MLAs and favoured indi­viduals;  appoint standing counsels, advocates on rec­ord, et al with no process.

Numerous ex-post facto approvals were sought. That, after the hammer of High Court fell on them. Yet the Kejriwal government, self-professed 바카라�ana­rchists바카라�, were determined to create disorder in public discourse and administration. First, the CM on April 29, 2015 (two-and-a-half months after assuming power), issued an order that said files pertaining to all subjects transferred to Delhi Legi­slative Assembly as per constitutional provisions 바카라�shall be decided at the appropriate level바카라� up to the CMO 바카라�without bothering the off­ice of the Lt. Governor.바카라� Further, as for the reserved subjects, they should be submitted to the L-G through the minister concerned and the CM. That was in clear violation of the High Court바카라�s later affirmation of the powers of the L-G in Delhi.

Second, Perfect Relations was commissioned as a consultant on a nomination basis without following bid process as per law. The PR firm created an artificial urg­ency by initiating the proposal on July 6, 2016 for a social media campaign to commence on August 8 that year. The consultant thus recommended and sele­cted itself to execute the project! Conflict of interest be dammed!! From whom should the taxpayers바카라� money spent be recovered? Even as it was pointed out to them that this was in violation of Supreme Court guidelines and General Financial Rules manual, they went ahead.

Third, Dr Nikunj Aggarwal (Kejriwal바카라�s sister-in-law바카라�s son-in-law) was recruited without any due process. And he splurged public money on foreign travels and trainings. Likewise, a tender condition Clause 2D to hire 바카라�highly skilled profess­ionals바카라� was tweaked to allow Soni Detective & Allied Services, which provi­des security and housekeeping staff to also provide 바카라�highly skilled professionals바카라� at huge salaries! All the expenditure was to be booked by PWD minister Satyendra Kumar Jain against 바카라�Elevated Corridor for Barapullah-Phase 3바카라�바카라�this, after booking it against mohalla clinics fell through! Doesn바카라�t tweaking the bid condition reflect criminal intent?

Fourth, hundreds of AAP party cadre and volunteers were appointed as advisors and consultants through the Delhi Dialogue Commission and Delhi Com­m­ission for Women, besides as civil defence volunteers, in blatant violation of all norms. They had no permission of the L-G, as is required by law for any creation of post, as later confirmed by High Court as well. This was in addition to the 160 posts created co-terminus, for the offices of just seven ministers!

Fifth, deputy CM Manish Sisodia on November 28, 2017 called IAS officer Jayadev Sarangi to his office. Sisodia threatened Sarangi with dire consequences to his life, when the bureaucrat pointed out his inability to violate Supreme Court guidelines on advertising and CAG바카라�s disapproval of advertorial spending. Sarangi바카라�s note to the governm­ent said he, in his long career, had faced threats from land mafia, anti-­social elements and terrorists, but this was for the first time he was threatened by someone holding a high constitutional authority. Can the leadership of any orga­nisation, in private or public sector, alienate the ent­ire staff and sinews of that very entity and expect them to deliver?

Sixth, they allotted themselves a party office바카라�a bungalow on Rouse Avenue바카라�again in violation of all rules and despite an L-G order to vacate it after paying the rent plus penalty. They haven바카라�t done so.

It바카라�s time to say goodbye to this government. Nay, good ridd­ance.

(The writer is an IAS officer. The views are personal.)