THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, DELHI

Hon’ble LG writes to Hon’ble CM regarding the prevailing situation in Delhi Government.
Mutual trust and respect have to be the foundation of Govt. – employee relationship – LG
Today , Delhi Govt. Employees are feeling insecure - Hon’ble CM should reach out directly to them – LG
I will make all efforts to restore a sense of security amongst employees – LG
With reference to the letter dated 26.02.2018 of Hon’ble Dy. Chief Minister regarding the prevailing situation in Government of NCT of Delhi, Sh. Anil Baijal, Hon’ble Lt. Governor wrote to Hon’ble Chief Minister requesting to recall that in the meeting held on 24.02.2018 at Raj Niwas, he had strongly condemned the recent incidents of violence and termed them as most unfortunate. He had also noted that there is no place for violence in a democratic and civilized society.

Hon’ble LG emphasised that the unfortunate incident of alleged misbehaviour and physical assault on the Chief Secretary, who is the head of the bureaucracy, at the residence of the Chief Minister by the elected MLAs was unprecedented and has had a demoralizing effect on the entire bureaucracy. This incident has sent shock waves through all sections of government employees in not only Delhi but also in the entire country.

After the meeting of 24.02.2018, the Lt. Governor met the service associations. From these meetings, the impression he received was that today, government employees in Delhi feel physically insecure, sadly in the very presence of those, who have been elected to uphold democracy and rule of law. In the past also, many officers had complained of ill treatment by the elected government. He observed that there was a need to introspect how this deplorable state of affairs has developed.

Hon’ble LG noted that all sections of bureaucracy look up to the Hon’ble CM to provide leadership; however, if their faith in his ability to provide them with a safe and dignified work environment is not restored, it can spell havoc for governance and rule of law. He stated that the Hon’ble Chief Minister would surely agree that it is important for the government to assure the employees that they can discharge their duties in a professional manner in an atmosphere free of fear.

Hon’ble LG also underscored that it is of utmost importance that the elected government and the officials work together in public interest in an amicable atmosphere. Mutual trust and respect have to be the foundation of the relationship between the government and its employees. This was why he had advised the elected government in the meeting of 24.02.2018 to take steps to bridge the trust deficit with the government employees. But regrettably, on the same day that the elected representatives met him, reports in the media surfaced of another Hon’ble MLA allegedly threatening the officials in the presence of the Hon’ble CM.

Hon’ble LG further stated as far as he knew, there had not been any strike by any section of bureaucracy. All the government offices are open and functioning. And as he perceived, all that government employees have been asking is that they be provided with a secure environment to work.

Lastly, Hon’ble LG observed that in the circumstances, he would urge the Hon’ble CM to reach out directly to the employees as greater responsibility lies on him as the alleged assault on the Chief Secretary was reported to have happened at the residence of the Hon’ble CM in his presence.

Hon’ble LG assured the Hon’ble CM that from his side, he would be making all efforts to restore a sense of security amongst the government employees.

He also noted that in his long career in government, he does not recall there being so much of rift between the elected government and bureaucracy, despite Delhi having seen governments of different hues.