AAP government says L-G panel ‘illegal’

The Aam Aadmi Party government on Tuesday termed as “illegal” the panel constituted by lieutenant-governor Najeeb Jung to scrutinise 400 files and requested it to discontinue work till the Supreme Court verdict on powers of the L-G.

The decision to stop the scrutiny of files was taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by chief minister Arvind Kejriwal which observed that the exercise has brought government’s “important works” to a halt.

“During discussion, the Cabinet found that the lieutenant-governor doesn’t have any power to constitute such panel to examine files of Delhi government and that it is illegal. As the members of panel are eminent persons, we request them not to scrutinise files till the Supreme Court rules in the matter,” deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia said.

Mr Jung had constituted the panel last month to examine around 400 files. It was claimed that they contained “infirmities and irregularities” and that decisions based on the file notings were violative of laid down norms and procedures.

The appointment of the panel comprising former CAG V.K. Shunglu, former Chief Election Commiss-ioner N. Gopalaswami and ex-chief vigilance commissioner Pradeep Kumar, came after the Delhi High Court ruled that the L-G is the administrative head of the city government.

The AAP government had approached the Supreme Court challenging the Delhi high court order and the apex court listed the matter for final hearing on November 15.