Delhi vs Centre row: SC holds Delhi government has control over administrative services

In a blow to the Centre, the Supreme Court on May 11 gave the Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party regime power to make laws and wield control over bureaucrats deputed to the Delhi government departments while declaring that civil service officers are “politically-neutral professionals” who serve the people and not political parties. The administration comprises of several public officers, who are posted in the services of a particular government, irrespective of whether or not that government was involved in their recruitment,” Chief Justice Chandrachud, who wrote the 104-page judgment, debunked the Centre’s argument that it retained “administrative control” over officers deputed to the Delhi government. The Delhi government had approached the Supreme Court amidst a scenario in which civil service officers were directly pushing policy files directly to the Lieutenant Governor, considered an extension of the Centre, rather than consulting elected Ministers of the Delhi government. It creates a possibility that the permanent executive, consisting of unelected civil service officers, who play a decisive role in the implementation of government policy, may act in ways that disregard the will of the electorate,” the Constitution Bench said.