Lieutenant Governor of Delhi Najeeb Jung. (File Photo)
Speaker Ram Niwas Goel has pointed out that the senior official was involved in the functioning of several committees, including those looking into allegations against the LG himself.
“The committees were constituted with the unanimous resolution of the House. I have no option but to reiterate the fact that the matters under examination include charges of irregularities/illegalities levelled against Najeeb Jung. The special inquiry committee and petition committee have been examining the feasibility of seeking deposition of Jung before the committee for the functioning of the committees as mandated by the House… competent secretary is essential for functioning of committees. Moving him out would attract conflict of interest,” wrote the Speaker.
The order relieving Suryadevara from the post of Delhi Assembly secretary and repatriating him to parent cadre All India Radio (AIR) had come days after Goel wrote to AIR, requesting that Suryadevara be allowed to continue in his post. Goel had also requested AIR to allow Suryadevara’s permanent “absorption”.
Speaking to The Indian Express, the Speaker said he wrote the letter to Jung after his attempts to speak to the LG on the phone were unsuccessful.
Goel said it was due to his ‘specific request’ that Suryadevara was deputed by the Delhi government and later, given an extension till July 2018.
Claiming that the decision to repatriate Suryadevara was an “attack” on the Speaker’s constitutional post, Goel wrote,”I take issuance of impugned order as an affront to the independence and constitutionally guaranteed powers of legislature…”
