CM overrules ‘all objections,’ clears rations delivery plan

New Delhi: Two days after the Supreme Court verdict which clipped the powers of the lieutenant-governor (L-G), chief minister Arvind Kejriwal “overruled all objections” and approved the doorstep delivery of rations.  

The chief minister also directed the food department to immediately implement the plan.

“Approved doorstep delivery of rations. Overruled all objections to the proposal. Directed Food Dept to start its implementation immediately,” Mr Kejriwal wrote on Twitter.   

“Directed dept to keep me informed of daily progress,” he added in another tweet.

L-G Anil Baijal had objected to the Delhi government’s ambitious proposal of doorstep delivery of rations and asked the AAP dispensation to consult the Centre before executing it.

Referring to the doorstep delivery of rations, a government official said the Cabinet has already approved the proposal and sent it to the L-G for his approval. However, the L-G sent it back to the government, asking it to consult the Central government.

The AAP government argued that the Delhi government does not need any suggestion from the Centre to implement its proposals.

The chief minister gave executive approval to the proposal after the Supreme Court ruled that the L-G cannot be an obstructionist and should act on the advice of the elected government.

A meeting of the Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC), chaired by deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia, also cleared two other projects — final instalment of the Signature Bridge and the construction of academic and hostel blocks of the Delhi Technical University.

Referring to the doorstep delivery of rations, a government official said the Cabinet has already approved the proposal and sent it to the L-G for his approval.  

However, the L-G sent it back to the government, asking it to consult the Central government.

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