In a recent press conference, senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad highlighted the need for the Centre’s ordinance regarding transfers and postings of officers in Delhi. Prasad emphasized that the ordinance was brought in to ensure transparency and accountability in the administration of the national capital.
Prasad referred to the transfer of IAS officer Y K Rajashekhar, who was investigating irregularities in the renovation of the Sheesh Mahal, as an example of the need for the ordinance. He pointed out that the Supreme Court had previously mentioned the absence of a specific law for the administration of Delhi under Section 42 of the Constitution.
“We had to bring in the ordinance because within a few days of the Supreme Court judgment, the Delhi government began flexing its muscles. It transferred 2010 batch IAS officer Y K Rajashekhar, who was probing the irregularities in the Sheesh Mahal,” Prasad stated.
The senior BJP leader highlighted that the ordinance retains the provision for a committee chaired by the Delhi chief minister to recommend transfers and postings of officers. Prasad argued that Delhi, being the heart of India and the capital frequently visited by dignitaries from around the world, required a system that could ensure transparency and accountability in such matters.
Prasad further mentioned that Rajashekhar was also investigating alleged irregularities in the Delhi Jal Board. He expressed concern that not only was the officer transferred, but a case was also filed against him based on false allegations from an NGO.
Prasad brought up the alleged intimidation of two dalit IAS officers, including services secretary Ashish More, who lodged complaints against minister Saurabh Bharadwaj. He emphasized the need for the ordinance to protect upright officers and ensure transparency in transfers and postings.
Responding to a query about the scrapping of Rs 2000 currency notes, Prasad referred to a detailed communication by the RBI explaining the dwindling use of these high denomination notes. He reminded the Congress party that even during the rule of Manmohan Singh, old currency notes were taken out of circulation. Prasad argued that scrapping these notes would help deter money laundering activities.
Regarding the swearing-in ceremony of the new cabinet in Karnataka, which was attended by various non-Congress leaders including Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Prasad remarked that the absence of chief ministers from Odisha, West Bengal, and Telangana indicated that opposition unity was merely a pipe dream.
Prasad also ridiculed Kumar’s slip of the tongue when he mistakenly referred to one of his principal secretaries as ‘Pradhan mantri ke pradhan sachiv’ (Prime Minister’s Chief Secretary). Prasad concluded by stating that while daydreaming was permissible, there would be no vacancy for the Prime Minister’s post in 2024.
The Centre’s ordinance on transfers and postings in Delhi has been presented as a measure to enhance transparency and accountability. The issue of officer transfers and alleged irregularities in the administration has sparked a debate between the BJP and the Delhi government, with both sides presenting their arguments regarding the need for such a regulatory mechanism.
