'No strike by babus', L-G Anil Baijal replies to Manish Sisodia's letter

Lieutenant Governor (L-G) of Delhi Anil Baijal replied to Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia's letter, in which the latter had complained about bureaucrats missing important meetings with Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) ministers over the alleged attack on Delhi Chief Secretary Anshu Prakash last week, on Tuesday.

"There had not been any strike by any section of bureaucracy. All the government offices are open and functioning. All that government employees have been asking is that they are provided with a secure environment to work," Baijal wrote in the letter.

The L-G observed that in such circumstances, he would urge Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to reach out to the employees directly as greater responsibility lies on him because the alleged assault on the chief secretary was reported to have happened at his residence in his presence.

Sisodia had shot off a letter to Baijal on Monday saying that officers were still boycotting meetings called by ministers, including three important ones he had called on Monday.

Sisodia said because of "defiance and refusal of the heads of departments to work", the government work was suffering. This came hours after a Joint Forum of Delhi Government Employees announced that they would continue to boycott the meetings unless the chief minister apologised for the alleged assault.

Stressing once again about the safety and security of the employees, Baijal said he will make all efforts to restore a sense of security among the government employees. "In my long career, I do not recall any incident where so much rift has been reported between the elected government and bureaucracy," he said.

He had earlier termed the alleged attack on Prakash as 'unfortunate' saying that the state government must take steps to remove mistrust between government employees and the elected ministers.