Strictly follow orders executed by LG: Delhi Chief Secy

NEW DELHI: Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal has directed secretaries and principal secretaries to authenticate all orders to be executed in his name, failing which strict action, including recovery of financial loss caused to the exchequer, would be taken against them, Delhi Chief Secretary Anshu Prakash told bureaucrats.

The official communication implies that the order to be issued in pursuance of the decision taken by the Delhi government, in the name of LG, will have to be authenticated by the officer concerned, a senior officer said.

The LG's office and the Arvind Kejriwal-led government have often been at loggerheads over several issues and decisions, including transfer and postings of officers.

The communication, issued to all heads of departments and secretaries to Delhi ministers, earlier this month, states, "To have legal validity, all executive decisions have to be taken by the authority competent to take such decisions, and orders issued in pursuance thereof have to be authenticated by an officer authorised to do so under the Government of NCT of Delhi (Authentication of Orders and other Instruments) (Amendments) Rules, 1992 as amended in the year 2000."

It also states, "The LG has directed that any officer, who disregards the provisions of law/rules shall do so at his own risk and will be liable for appropriate action by the competent authority, including disciplinary proceedings and recovery of financial loss to the government exchequer as a result of his/her action."