Refer doorstep ration delivery plan to Centre, L-G tells govt

New Delhi: In fresh tussle between lieutenant-governor Anil Baijal and the Aam Aadmi Party dispensation, L-G on Wednesday asked the Delhi government to refer its proposal for doorstep delivery of ration to the Centre with full details, with chief minister Arvind Kejriwal hitting back by saying no such reference was required according to law. The chief minister had earlier said such an important measure was rejected by the L-G over “petty politics”.

“V sad that Hon’ble L-G has rejected doorstep delivery of ration scheme. I had repeatedly requested him to give me an audience before taking a decision but he did not (sic). Feeling really really sad that such imp proposals are becoming victims of petty politics,” the CM wrote on Twitter.

However, the L-G’s office in a statement said, “Lieutenant-governor advised that the proposal of home delivery of ration may be referred to the Government of India with full details, including all implementation issues, before a final decision is taken. Therefore, it is incorrect to say that the L-G has rejected the proposal for home delivery of ration under TPDS,” it said.

Hitting out at Mr Baijal, the AAP government said it was of the clear view that no reference to the Central government was required in the matter and that the move of the L-G amounted to “killing” the “landmark” scheme for the poor.

The government also said that the L-G chose not to accept the Cabinet decisions on the basis of “motivated objections” made by some bureaucrats. “It appears that bureaucracy does not want this proposal to be implemented. The bureaucracy has fought tooth and nail to prevent it,” it said in a statement. “The elected government is of the view that it is a matter of real sadness that the L-G has completely ignored the comments of ministers and relied on completely ridiculous and irrelevant objections made by some bureaucrats to stall such a revolutionary project,” it said.