In Court Setback For AAP Government, Chief Secretary Tenure To Be Extended

The Delhi government opposed Naresh Kumar's extension on grounds the ordinance that gives the centre control of bureaucrats posted to the city is still being challenged.

The Delhi government suffered a setback Wednesday after the Supreme Court cleared the centre's proposal to extend by six months the tenure of Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar, who was supposed to retire in 24 hours. The Delhi government had opposed the extension on grounds the ordinance that gives the ruling BJP control of bureaucrats posted to the national capital is still being challenged, and that the centre could not make appointments, particularly to senior posts, without consultation.

A bench led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud ruled a six-month extension could not be viewed as a violation of any law. The court accepted the centre's argument - that it has the right to transfer and appoint bureaucrats in the Delhi government since its ordinance has not yet been reversed.

Last week - amid squabbles between both sides - the Supreme Court directed Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, the centre's representative in the city, to sit down and amicably discuss a shortlist of candidates to be provided by the union government.