Why in news?
There is an ongoing tussle between the elected government and the bureaucracy in Delhi.
What is going on in Delhi?
- Government - Delhi CM Kejriwal has said there was “de facto President’s Rule” in the national capital.
- Mr. Kejriwal, Deputy Chief Minister, and some ministers have been staging a sit-in at the Raj Niwas.
- They called attention to an "illegal strike by Delhi government officers".
- They demanded that Lieutenant-Governor order an end to what they call a strike by officers.
- Bureaucracy - But Raj Niwas and the IAS officers’ association has said there is no strike.
- Passing of the state budget and the accompanying budget session are pointed as proofs of a working machinery.
- However, they admit to being part of what is at least a ‘non-cooperation campaign’.
- They have restricted communication with the political executive to the written form alone since February.
- Also, not attending meetings convened by Ministers.
- This was in protest of the alleged assault on Chief Secretary by AAP MLAs at Mr. Kejriwal’s residence.
- The bureaucrats claim they feel vulnerable in the absence of Ministerial assurances of their safety.
What is the tussle for?
- Delhi witnesses a tussle for “full statehood” versus “partial statehood”.
- Relations between the Chief Minister and Lieutenant General in Delhi has for long been a concern.
- But this has less to do with constitutional correctness and more with the political compulsions.
- The principle of special sensitivities for national capitals exists for Delhi too.
- This is on account of the national, international importance, geographical location and strategic significance.
- This makes the claim to “full statehood” for Delhi to be treated differently.
What are the implications?
- It results in a fractured arrangement of power-sharing.
- This applies to law and order, land and services residing with the central government.
- This arrangement has always been contested by the state government.
- Such constitutional arrangements militate against the preferences of the “elected government”.
- The compromises and restrictions defeat the purposes of democracy and accountability in elected governments.
- E.g. the formation of the present Delhi government was followed by the LG’s office imposing many constraints.
- It disabled the power of the state government to transfer employees.
- Also, restrictions were imposed on ordering vigilance probes on complaints or proceeding against corrupt officials.
Why is the issue significant?
- Trust between the political class and bureaucracy is necessary for good governance.
- The impasse in Delhi suggests a total breakdown in the relations between the two sections.
- This spate between the LG and the CM has further diminished the nobility of constitutional offices.
- The government must introspect and adopt a more mature approach to the bureaucracy.
Source: The Hindu, Indian Express
