LG's move to stop engagement of specialists will strangulate govt's work: Kejriwal

Stopping the engagement of specialists and advisors will “completely strangulate” Delhi government and its services, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Thursday (July 6), hoping the move would be quashed by the Supreme Court.

Kejriwal’s remarks came days after Lt Governor VK Saxena approved the termination of the engagement of 400 specialists working with the Delhi government.

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In a follow up to the mass removal, the Services department on Wednesday (July 5) wrote to different departments and agencies of the government to stop the engagement of persons as fellows and advisors without the approval of the LG.

“This will completely strangulate Delhi govt and its services. I don’t know what does Honble LG achieve by doing all this? I hope Honble SC immediately quashes it,” Kejriwal said in a tweet on Thursday (July 6).

This will completely strangulate Delhi govt and its services. I don’t know what does Hon’ble LG achieve by doing all this? I hope Hon’ble SC immediately quashes it. https://t.co/MJvLqSEOdq

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) July 6, 2023

Saxena terminated the services of around 400 specialists appointed by the Kejriwal government in different departments, citing alleged irregularities in recruitment.

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“… All the departments/organizations/boards, etc. under Govt. of NCT of Delhi are therefore directed… All the departments shall immediately stop engagements of all the Fellows/Associate, Fellows/Advisors/Dy. Advisors/Specialists/Senior Research Officers/Consultants, by whatever name, wherein approval of the Honble Lt Governor, Delhi has not been obtained till date,” said the Services department order.

It also asked the Finance Department not to release salaries henceforth for those engaged without the LG’s approval.

(With inputs from agencies)