Kejriwal Govt's temporary appointments costing Rs. 30 cr per year axed by LG, decision upheld by Delhi High Court [Read Judgment]

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court today vacated its stay on the Lieutenant-Governor's (LG)decision to axe 237 temporary appointments made by the Aam Aadmi Party-led Delhi government without the LG's approval.

The decision was made in reference to the appointment of 237 Fellows, Associate Fellows, Advisors, Senior Research Officers, Consultants, etc in various departments, and under the 'Chief Minister Urban Leader Fellowship Programme' which cost the exchequer approximately Rs. 30 crores annually.

The LG had previously issued a letter staying the appointments stating that they had been made without the LG's approval and without adhering to the constitutional provisions for reservations for SC/STs.

The Delhi Govt headed by the Aam Aadmi Party had then approached the Supreme Court seeking a stay on the LG's letter, however, was denied the same.

Thereafter, the appointees in the said posts approached the Delhi High Court seeking payment of their 'fees' stopped after the LG's letter.

While the Delhi High Court permitted the said payment, the Legislative Assembly Secretariat of the NCT of Delhi challenged it.

The Delhi High Court vacated its stay on the LG's letter on being informed that the SC had refused to grant the stay too.

The Court refused to entertain 
Aam Aadmi Party-led Delhi Government's plea that since the Supreme Court had not passed any order on the matter, the High Court could.

The bench of Justice Subromonium Prasad rejected this argument stating that this would be against judicial propriety. It further directed the Govt. to go back to the Supreme Court for any clarifications.

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