In a letter issued from the LG Office on Monday, heads of these departments were told to submit files of decisions taken by the government without having final approval from LG.
Confirming the development, Raj Niwas has said that the files were required to verify the government decisions and give them a final nod.
Secretary to LG Vijay Kumar said in the letter: “The secretaries, principal secretaries and heads of all the departments, autonomous bodies, boards, corporations and institutions concerned should immediately review all such orders and identify by August 17 those cases where prior approval of the LG was required but not taken.”
“All such cases may immediately be placed with appropriate proposal before the LG through proper channel and with the opinion of the Law department, wherever required,” it added. “It is also directed that no order in the future be issued without approval of the competent authority,” it instructed.
Terming the Delhi high court verdict “historic”, Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung had stated: “When we get elected, it doesn’t mean we are rulers and instead we will have to work and confine ourselves to our roles and jobs which are in the framework of the Constitution.”
A few political experts believe that verification from LG Office is much needed and only after approval from Raj Niwas, these decisions would be Constitutionally valid.
The Delhi HC had on Thursday ruled that Lieutenant Governor was not bound by the aid and advice of the council of ministers. Recognising the primacy of Lieutenant Governor in Delhi’s administration, it had said: “Policy direction can’t be issued without communicating to Lieutenant Governor.”
Brushing aside the stand of Delhi government, it had said: “The contention of the government of NCT of Delhi that the Lieutenant Governor of NCT of Delhi is bound to act only on the aid and advice of the council of ministers in relation to the matters in respect of which the power to make laws has been conferred on the Legislative Assembly of NCT of Delhi under clause (3)(a) of Article 239AA of the Constitution is without substance and cannot be accepted.”
The Delhi Assembly had passed more than 18 Bills, but some Bills which were returned in the last June, include the Janlokpal Bill 2015, the Minimum Wages (Delhi Amendment) Bill 2015, the Delhi School (Verification of Accounts and Refund of Excess Fee) Bill 2015, the Delhi School Education (Amendment) Bill 2015, the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (Delhi Amendment) Bill 2015 and a Bill related to working journalists.