After Delhi govt suspends 2 senior officers, 200 officials threaten to go on mass leave

New Delhi: At least 200 Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands Civil Service (DANICS)-cadre officers have threatened to go on mass leave on Thursday in a show of solidarity for their two colleagues suspended by the Delhi government.

The Delhi government has suspended two senior officers of its home department for refusing to sign on a file pertaining to a decision of the state cabinet to increase the salary of government lawyers. The suspensions have been met with opposition from Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands Civil Service (DANICS) cadre of government servants, with 200 officials threatening to go on mass leave on Thursday.

The threat of mass leave stands to threaten the implementation of the odd-even formula, as a number of the officers in question are involved in the January 1 implementation of the road-rationing plan. The issues also risks escalating into another confrontation between the Centre and the Delhi government.

A Delhi government spokesperson said Yashpal Garg, special secretary for prosecution, and Subhash Chandra, special secretary for prisons, have been suspended. The action came after Garg and Chandra refused to sign a file pertaining to the cabinet decision to increase salary of public prosecutors, the spokesperson said.

Under the law, only the lieutenant governor of Delhi can suspend DANICS-cadre officers, with permission from the Union Home Ministry. Agitated over the suspension of the two officers, the DANICS Officers’ Association, consisting of around 200 members who hold crucial posts including that of SDM, secretary to minister and special secretary, are contemplating to go on mass leave tomorrow.

“Delhi Government does not have power to suspend any DANICS officer and it can only recommend suspension of DANICS officer and on this, LG can suspend him or her with permission from MHA,” said a representative of the association.

“To express solidarity with the two suspended officers, around 200 DANICS officers, who are working in government’s different departments, will go on leave tomorrow for one day,” the representative added.

It association has taken up the matter with the Union home minister, and demanded that the Delhi government revoke the suspension.

PTI