New Delhi: Amid ongoing uncertainty over who will raise the national flag during the Delhi government's official Independence Day function, the General Administration Department (GAD) in Delhi announced on Tuesday (August 13, 2024) that Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, currently jailed in a corruption case, does not have the authority to designate Minister Atishi to do so on his behalf.
On Monday, GAD Minister Gopal Rai instructed the department to arrange for Atishi to unfurl the flag as per the Chief Minister's "desires." However, GAD additional chief secretary Navin Kumar Chaudhary responded by stating that the CM's directive is "legally invalid and cannot be acted upon."
The GAD official also noted that the Chief Minister's communication to Lt. Governor V.K. Saxena on August 6 regarding this matter was "not permissible" under prison regulations.
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Mr. Chaudhary mentioned that preparations for the Delhi government's Independence Day celebration at Chhatrasal Stadium are in progress. Given the CM's judicial custody status, the situation has been escalated to the "higher authority," and further instructions are awaited, according to Mr. Chaudhary. Mr. Rai issued his directive to the GAD after meeting with Mr. Kejriwal in jail on Monday.
In a letter to the L-G last week, Mr. Kejriwal expressed that Cabinet Minister Atishi would hoist the national flag on his behalf during the Delhi government's Independence Day event. However, the L-G's office stated they had not received any such communication from the Chief Minister.
Additionally, Tihar Jail authorities informed Mr. Kejriwal that his letter to Mr. Saxena constituted "an abuse of privileges" under the Delhi Prison Rules and was therefore not forwarded to the intended recipient.
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