On Friday, the Supreme Court directed the Union government to present a panel of 5 senior bureaucrats by November 28 for the position of Chief Secretary of Delhi. The court suggested that the Delhi government could then choose one individual from this list, aiming to address concerns raised by both parties involved.
The bench, led by CJI D.Y. Chandrachud, instructed Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to furnish the list of names to the Delhi government by 10:25 a.m. on Tuesday. This approach, as outlined by the bench, seeks to address the Union government's concerns while fostering confidence in the officer within the state's elected arm.
In response to a plea filed by the Delhi government, challenging the Lieutenant Governor's unilateral selection of the top bureaucrat, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi highlighted the historical process of the Chief Secretary's appointment, emphasizing the government of NCT of Delhi's exclusive authority in this matter.
Addressing Singhvi's points, CJI Chandrachud emphasized the necessity for a functional governance process and sought a viable solution. The apex court refrained from issuing a formal directive, indicating its intention to resolve the matter on November 28.
In a recent development, the Supreme Court intervened in the appointment of an ad hoc chairman for the DERC (Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission) after a consensus couldn't be reached between the Delhi Lt Governor and Chief Minister, nominating former Delhi High Court judge, Justice Jayant Nath, for the role.
(With Agency Inputs)
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