Manish Sisodia urges Delhi L-G to clear appointment of electricity commission chairman

Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia has urged L-G VK Saxena to urgently clear the appointment of Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission chairman.

Manish Sisodia said that the file for the appointment of Justice (Retd) Shrivastva was sent to L-G VK Saxena on the same day it was approved by the chief minister. (Photo: PTI)

By Pankaj Jain: Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Tuesday requested Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena to ‘urgently’ clear the appointment of the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) chairman amid the ongoing tussle between the two sides over MCD mayor election.

Sisodia in his letter also urged L-G Saxena not to send the file directly to officers, as he had done in three cases last week, claiming it is against the Constitution and various Supreme Court judgments.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal last week approved the appointment of Justice (Retd) Rajeev Shrivastava as the next DERC chairman.

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In his letter, the Aam Aadmi Party leader wrote, “I find no reason why you would differ with the decision of the council of ministers. In the last few days, there have been three occasions when you got your decision implemented by sending the file directly to the officers bypassing the chief minister and the minister.”

The tenure of incumbent DERC Chairman Justice (Retd) Shabihul Hasnain lapsed on Tuesday and yet the L-G has not cleared the appointment of the recommended office-bearer, Sisodia further said.

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“On all transferred subjects, unless it is a quasi-judicial or judicial matter where Hon’ble L-G has to act in his discretion, on all other matters, L-G is bound by the aid and advice of the council of ministers. So, kindly do not send the file related to the appointment of DERC Chairman directly to officers for issue of notification,” Sisodia added.

The file for the appointment of Justice (Retd) Shrivastva was sent to L-G VK Saxena on the same day it was approved by the chief minister to decide whether he would differ with the decision of the council of ministers and if he would like to invoke proviso to Article 239AA (4) of the Constitution, Sisodia said in his letter.

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