Two officers take charge on one DCW post, LG-appointee rejected

New Delhi: In a strange turn of events, two officers, one appointed by Lt Governor Najeeb Jung and the other recommended by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, assumed charge as member secretary of Delhi Commission for Women (DCW), which rejected the former's joining terming it "illegal" and "unacceptable".

According to DCW officials, PP Dhal assumed charge of as the "officiating" member secretary of the Commission yesterday following directions by Kejriwal.

Kejriwal had last Saturday, in a file noting to the LG, directed the Delhi Chief Secretary and the DCW Chairperson to not implement Jung's decision to appoint Dilraj Kaur (Women and Child Development and Social Welfare Secretary) as member secretary of the Commission.

"However, in a complete violation of the orders of the Chief Minister, the WCD and SW Secretary Dilraj Kaur today informed the Commission that she has assumed the charge as Member Secretary of the DCW. The Commission has reiterated to her the directions of the CM and rejected her joining," said a DCW statement.

The women's body said Kaur's appointment is in direct conflict of interest of the Commission as it monitors the functioning of the Women and Child Development (WCD) and Social Welfare departments and regularly issues notices to her on matters concerning programmes like the Nari Niketan, old age home, rehabilitation schemes, among others.

"The assumption of charge by Kaur despite explicit orders of the CM barring the same is a mockery of the democratic setup of Delhi as envisaged in the Constitution of India and Transaction of Business Rules 1993. She has been directed to refrain from joining the Commission," the statement added.

DCW chief Swati Maliwal also wrote a letter to Kaur, informing her that the Commission is "legally bound by the directions of the elected government" in the matter.

"Your unilateral joining as member secretary DCW despite a clear decision of the Delhi government, is illegal and cannot be accepted. Your non compliance of CM's orders may be viewed adversely both by the Commission as well as the Delhi government. Your joining report is therefore rejected," Maliwal said.

The LG office had said Kaur's appointment was temporary and necessitated by retirement of Alka Diwan, who previously held the post.

As per the note, the government had moved a proposal for appointment of Dhal as Member Secretary on August 19. The file was pending in LG office for several months and was returned to the CM on December 15, it said.

While turning down Dhal's appointment, Jung had pointed out instances of alleged irregularities in appointments in DCW, which are being probed by the Anti-Corruption Branch.