Speaker refuses to relieve Delhi Assembly Secretary

Two days after LG Najeeb Jung had ordered to repatriate the Delhi Assembly Secretary, Speaker Ram Niwas Goel has refused to relieve the officer saying his decision was solely aimed at “upholding the Constitution”. Jung has transferred several senior officers, including Delhi Assembly Secretary Prasanna Kumar Suryadevara, in the last two days and on Tuesday formed a three-member panel to examine 400 files pertaining to the AAP government’s decision. In his letter to Jung, Goel said: “I have directed Prasnna Kumar Suryadevara to continue to discharge his duties as Secretary, Legislative Assembly, who is holding an ex-cadre position which is purely under the control of Speaker, Legislative Assembly. The decision of mine is solely aimed at upholding the Constitution in letter and spirit. As I am holding Constitutional post, LG cannot repatriate the Assembly Secretary in my absence,” Goel said.