India
Bail conditions will not stop any work, says AAP | India News – Times of India
NEW DELHI: Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s release from jail after he was granted permission bail by the Supreme Court in the excise policy The case will not only give a boost to the Aam Aadmi Party ahead of elections in Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir and later Delhi, but also give a much-needed boost to governance in the national capital, which has suffered a major setback since his arrest in March this year.
The Supreme Court in its order said that the conditions imposed on him while granting him bail in the Enforcement Directorate case will remain in force. AAP asserted that the CM will continue to oversee the administration and work in Delhi “will not stop”. While granting him bail in the ED case, the high court had barred Kejriwal from going to the Delhi Secretariat but allowed him to send those files to the LG for which the latter’s approval is required.
“Arvind Kejriwal is the Chief Minister of Delhi, who heads the council of ministers and oversees the governance through ministers of various departments. He has full authority to issue instructions to all his ministers so that work can be done in public interest,” AAP said in a statement. “The only files that will be signed by the Chief Minister are those that have to be sent to the LG for which he has permission from the Supreme Court. Therefore, no work of the people of Delhi will stop,” it added.
Several key policy decisions, including the flagship Mahila Samman Nidhi Yojana — a scheme to provide financial assistance of Rs 1,000 to all women above the age of 18 — announced in Delhi’s budget this year; a daily wage earners’ allowance; the Delhi Startup Policy; the Dilli Bazaar Portal; the Cloud Kitchen Policy; the Food Truck Policy; the city’s logistics plan; the Delhi Electronic System Design, Manufacturing, and Refurbishment (ESDMR) Policy 2022-27; and the Industrial and Economic Development Policy 2023-33 are ready and await approval by the Cabinet, headed by the CM.
The appointment of a new minister for a vacant position in the cabinet and the appointment of a presiding officer for the mayoral elections are also awaiting Kejriwal’s approval. Rolling out these plans and policies is crucial for the AAP government in view of the Delhi state assembly elections. He also has to decide on convening a meeting of the Delhi state assembly as the last meeting was held in April this year. The transfer and posting of group ‘A’ officers, along with a decision on disciplinary action, also have to be initiated by convening a meeting of the National Capital Civil Services Authority (NCCSA), chaired by him.
AAP MLA and advocate Somnath Bharti said the court has allowed the CM to sign all files that require the LG’s approval. “Most of the decisions taken by the government require the LG’s approval. That means the work will not be affected,” Bharti said. “Our legal team will look into all these aspects and may approach the Supreme Court for clarifications or relaxations where required,” he added.
However, a senior Delhi government official added that there are many ifs and buts in the story. “Important files that need the LG’s approval can be signed by him, but can he convene a cabinet meeting to approve a policy or proposal? Can he also give his approval for convening a meeting of NCCSA and request files of concerned officials from the member’s secretary to peruse and form an opinion? These aspects may require more clarity from the court,” the official said.
However, a senior AAP official stressed that Kejriwal can convene all meetings at his camp office.
At a press conference, former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia said the conditions imposed on Kejriwal could be challenged in court if necessary.
Kejriwal’s release could not have come at a more opportune time for AAP, officials say. The organisation is contesting all the seats in Haryana and Kejriwal is likely to campaign extensively there, followed by Delhi early next year.
The Supreme Court in its order said that the conditions imposed on him while granting him bail in the Enforcement Directorate case will remain in force. AAP asserted that the CM will continue to oversee the administration and work in Delhi “will not stop”. While granting him bail in the ED case, the high court had barred Kejriwal from going to the Delhi Secretariat but allowed him to send those files to the LG for which the latter’s approval is required.
“Arvind Kejriwal is the Chief Minister of Delhi, who heads the council of ministers and oversees the governance through ministers of various departments. He has full authority to issue instructions to all his ministers so that work can be done in public interest,” AAP said in a statement. “The only files that will be signed by the Chief Minister are those that have to be sent to the LG for which he has permission from the Supreme Court. Therefore, no work of the people of Delhi will stop,” it added.
Several key policy decisions, including the flagship Mahila Samman Nidhi Yojana — a scheme to provide financial assistance of Rs 1,000 to all women above the age of 18 — announced in Delhi’s budget this year; a daily wage earners’ allowance; the Delhi Startup Policy; the Dilli Bazaar Portal; the Cloud Kitchen Policy; the Food Truck Policy; the city’s logistics plan; the Delhi Electronic System Design, Manufacturing, and Refurbishment (ESDMR) Policy 2022-27; and the Industrial and Economic Development Policy 2023-33 are ready and await approval by the Cabinet, headed by the CM.
The appointment of a new minister for a vacant position in the cabinet and the appointment of a presiding officer for the mayoral elections are also awaiting Kejriwal’s approval. Rolling out these plans and policies is crucial for the AAP government in view of the Delhi state assembly elections. He also has to decide on convening a meeting of the Delhi state assembly as the last meeting was held in April this year. The transfer and posting of group ‘A’ officers, along with a decision on disciplinary action, also have to be initiated by convening a meeting of the National Capital Civil Services Authority (NCCSA), chaired by him.
AAP MLA and advocate Somnath Bharti said the court has allowed the CM to sign all files that require the LG’s approval. “Most of the decisions taken by the government require the LG’s approval. That means the work will not be affected,” Bharti said. “Our legal team will look into all these aspects and may approach the Supreme Court for clarifications or relaxations where required,” he added.
However, a senior Delhi government official added that there are many ifs and buts in the story. “Important files that need the LG’s approval can be signed by him, but can he convene a cabinet meeting to approve a policy or proposal? Can he also give his approval for convening a meeting of NCCSA and request files of concerned officials from the member’s secretary to peruse and form an opinion? These aspects may require more clarity from the court,” the official said.
However, a senior AAP official stressed that Kejriwal can convene all meetings at his camp office.
At a press conference, former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia said the conditions imposed on Kejriwal could be challenged in court if necessary.
Kejriwal’s release could not have come at a more opportune time for AAP, officials say. The organisation is contesting all the seats in Haryana and Kejriwal is likely to campaign extensively there, followed by Delhi early next year.
