Government officials on mass leave to protest suspension of two officers
New Delhi: A large number of Delhi government bureaucrats went on mass leave on Thursday in protest over the suspension of two Danics cadre officers, a step that was declared null and void by the Centre, setting the stage for yet another major confrontation between the two sides as the AAP called the protest part of a “conspiracy” to ensure that the “odd-even” traffic plan in the city from January 1 “fails”.
A defiant chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, issuing a stern warning to the agitating officers, said his government was exploring “all options” against those who had gone on leave.
MoS home Kiren Rijiju said just like human beings who can’t live without oxygen, the city government can’t live without controversy. Leader of the Opposition in the Delhi Assembly Vijender Gupta went a step further, demanding the CM’s resignation due to the “collapse” of the city administration.
Of 200-odd Danics (Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands Civil Service) officers, a highly-placed source said 95 per cent of them went on a day-long leave to register their protest over the suspension of two colleagues. Only 55 per cent of IAS officers are said to have abstained from work till 2 pm.
Chief secretary K.K. Sharma, president of the IAS Officers’ Association, was seen in his office at 10 am. The source said the government was trying to create a division between the IAS and Danics officers. “That is why the government is now trying to promote officers of the DASS cadre,” he added.
In its bid to gain the confidence of DASS cadre officers, whose 22,000-odd strength forms the backbone of the Delhi administration, the Arvind Kejriwal Cabinet on Thursday agreed in principle to hike their pay slab from '5,400 to '8,700. The decision to raise the DASS cadre’s salary structure lies, however, with the Centre.
“Why they have decided to go on mass leave just a day before start of the odd-even scheme. It is part of conspiracy so that we fail to implement the scheme,” alleged Sisodia. The decision to raise the DASS cadre’s salary structure lies, however, with the Centre.
