DERC chief awaits oath-taking; officer to blame, says Atishi

Atishi wrote to the chairperson-in-waiting: “This unfortunate situation has arisen because the Power Department wrote to you, asking for time for taking of oath, without my instructions or without checking my availability,”

According to sources, this was in response to Justice (Retd.) Kumar’s communication that a decision regarding his swearing in, following his appointment on June 21, was “still pending” with the minister.

Sources aware of the content of his communication said the Chairperson was informed that Atishi will not be available after June 29, and would be available for the oath ceremony only July 3 onwards.

“Justice (Retd.) Kumar was required to travel 29th onwards and had conveyed his availability for the oath ceremony as Chairperson on any day from 26th to 28th June, since the minister was available on these days…” the source said.

In response, Atishi termed “extremely shocking” that the Power Department would write to Justice (Retd.) Kumar “without even asking” whether she was available on those dates.“It is because of this shockingly lax and unprofessional behaviour that someone as senior as you has had to undergo this inconvenience…I have directed the Power Department to take disciplinary action against the officer who is responsible for this. We can have the Oath Taking Ceremony in my office at 6pm on July 3rd (Monday) or any time in the second half of the day on July 4th (Tuesday),” she stated.