NEW DELHI: Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal 's release from jail after being granted bail by Supreme Court in the excise policy case will not only give a boost to Aam Aadmi Party ahead of the assembly polls in Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir and later Delhi but also give a much-needed impetus to governance in the capital which has received a serious setback since his arrest in March this year.
The Supreme Court has stated in its order that the conditions imposed on him while granting him bail in the Enforcement Directorate case will remain in place. AAP claimed the CM will continue to oversee governance and work in Delhi "will not stop". While granting him bail in the ED case, the apex court had barred Kejriwal from going to the Delhi secretariat but allowed him to send those files to the LG which require the latter's approval.
"Arvind Kejriwal is the chief minister of Delhi, who heads the council of ministers and oversees governance via ministers of various departments. He is fully empowered to give directions to all his ministers so that work can be done in public interest," AAP said in a statement. "The only files that are signed by the chief minister are those that have to be sent to the LG for which he has permission from Supreme Court. Therefore, no work of the people of Delhi will stop," it added.
Several important policy decisions, including the flagship Mahila Samman Nidhi Yojana - a scheme to provide financial assistance of Rs 1,000 to all women aged above 18 - which was announced in the Delhi budget this year; dearness allowance for daily wagers; Delhi Start-Up Policy; Dilli Bazaar Portal; Cloud Kitchen Policy; Food Truck Policy; City's Logistics Plan; Delhi Electronic System Design, Manufacturing, and Refurbishment (ESDMR) Policy 2022-27; and Industrial and Economic Development Policy 2023-33 are ready and need approval of the cabinet which is headed by the CM.
The appointment of a new minister against a vacant position in the cabinet and the appointment of a presiding officer for the mayoral polls are also awaiting Kejriwal's nod. Rolling out these schemes and policies are crucial for the AAP govt in view of the assembly elections in Delhi. He also needs to take a decision on calling a session of Delhi Assembly as the last session was held in April this year. Transfer and posting of Group 'A' officers, along with a decision on disciplinary action, will also have to be set in motion by calling a meeting of National Capital Civil Services Authority (NCCSA), which is chaired by him.
AAP MLA and lawyer Somnath Bharti said the court has allowed the CM to sign all those files that require the approval of the LG. "Most decisions taken by govt require approval of the LG. That means work will not be affected," Bharti said. "Our legal team will look into all these aspects and may approach Supreme Court for clarifications or relaxations wherever required," he added.
A senior Delhi govt official, however, added there were a lot of "ifs and buts" in this. "Crucial files that need approval of the LG can be signed by him, but will he be able to call a cabinet meeting to approve a policy or a proposal? Also, can he give his approval for convening a meeting of NCCSA and seek files of the officials concerned from the member secretary to read and form an opinion? These aspects may require more clarity from the court," the official said.
A senior AAP functionary, however, emphasised that Kejriwal can call all meetings at his camp office.
Addressing a press conference, former deputy CM Manish Sisodia also hinted that if required, the conditions imposed on Kejriwal may be challenged in court.
Kejriwal's release could not have come at a more appropriate time for AAP, say functionaries. It is contesting all seats in Haryana and Kejriwal is likely to campaign there extensively followed by Delhi early next year.
The Supreme Court has stated in its order that the conditions imposed on him while granting him bail in the Enforcement Directorate case will remain in place. AAP claimed the CM will continue to oversee governance and work in Delhi "will not stop". While granting him bail in the ED case, the apex court had barred Kejriwal from going to the Delhi secretariat but allowed him to send those files to the LG which require the latter's approval.
"Arvind Kejriwal is the chief minister of Delhi, who heads the council of ministers and oversees governance via ministers of various departments. He is fully empowered to give directions to all his ministers so that work can be done in public interest," AAP said in a statement. "The only files that are signed by the chief minister are those that have to be sent to the LG for which he has permission from Supreme Court. Therefore, no work of the people of Delhi will stop," it added.
Several important policy decisions, including the flagship Mahila Samman Nidhi Yojana - a scheme to provide financial assistance of Rs 1,000 to all women aged above 18 - which was announced in the Delhi budget this year; dearness allowance for daily wagers; Delhi Start-Up Policy; Dilli Bazaar Portal; Cloud Kitchen Policy; Food Truck Policy; City's Logistics Plan; Delhi Electronic System Design, Manufacturing, and Refurbishment (ESDMR) Policy 2022-27; and Industrial and Economic Development Policy 2023-33 are ready and need approval of the cabinet which is headed by the CM.
The appointment of a new minister against a vacant position in the cabinet and the appointment of a presiding officer for the mayoral polls are also awaiting Kejriwal's nod. Rolling out these schemes and policies are crucial for the AAP govt in view of the assembly elections in Delhi. He also needs to take a decision on calling a session of Delhi Assembly as the last session was held in April this year. Transfer and posting of Group 'A' officers, along with a decision on disciplinary action, will also have to be set in motion by calling a meeting of National Capital Civil Services Authority (NCCSA), which is chaired by him.
AAP MLA and lawyer Somnath Bharti said the court has allowed the CM to sign all those files that require the approval of the LG. "Most decisions taken by govt require approval of the LG. That means work will not be affected," Bharti said. "Our legal team will look into all these aspects and may approach Supreme Court for clarifications or relaxations wherever required," he added.
A senior Delhi govt official, however, added there were a lot of "ifs and buts" in this. "Crucial files that need approval of the LG can be signed by him, but will he be able to call a cabinet meeting to approve a policy or a proposal? Also, can he give his approval for convening a meeting of NCCSA and seek files of the officials concerned from the member secretary to read and form an opinion? These aspects may require more clarity from the court," the official said.
A senior AAP functionary, however, emphasised that Kejriwal can call all meetings at his camp office.
Addressing a press conference, former deputy CM Manish Sisodia also hinted that if required, the conditions imposed on Kejriwal may be challenged in court.
Kejriwal's release could not have come at a more appropriate time for AAP, say functionaries. It is contesting all seats in Haryana and Kejriwal is likely to campaign there extensively followed by Delhi early next year.
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