Delhi babus go on mass leave; AAP govt sees 'conspiracy' to fail odd-even formula

Almost all senior bureaucrats of the Delhi government on Thursday 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 Aam Aadmi Party dispensation called the strike part of a "conspiracy" to "fail" the odd-even scheme.

While around 200 Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands Civil Service-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 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 on Thursday.

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 on Friday.

"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 Prime Minister’s Office and the Lt Governor's office were in direct contact with DANICS officers when they were holding a meeting yesterday," alleged Sisodia.

DANICS are selected through civil service exams conducted by the Union Public Service Commission and the Union Home ministry is their cadre-controlling authority.

"The Home ministry has received a reference from the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi on the suspension of two DANICS officers. It declares the suspension order is 'non est' (mistake or does not exist) and the two officers should be considered deemed to be on duty," a Home ministry spokesperson said earlier.

Reacting to the protest, Delhi Home Minister Satyendra Jain said DANICS and IAS officers do not have the right to go on strike as it is against their service rule.

The Delhi home minister further said that Delhi government was ready to grant all officers even one month or 15-day leave if they apply for the same.

"The two officers were suspended for not implementing Cabinet decision on December 28. If they had any problem with my order, they should have approached Chief Minister not LG.

The Lt Governor has already asked officers to defy government decision," he charged.

Jain also alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party is provoking Delhi government officers to go on strike. The DANICS Officers' Association comprise around 200 members who hold crucial posts including that of SDM, secretary to minister and special secretary.

"The 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," a representative of the association said.

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

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