Yoga classes, doorstep ration: Projects in limbo to see renewed push

The programme ran for a year, but was stopped last year after then deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia said the L-G had not given permission for the programme to continue. At the time, officials from Raj Niwas said they had not received a proposal for the extension of the programme.

The second project on which work will begin almost immediately is the expansion of mohalla clinics. Sources in the Delhi government said the target was to build 1,000 clinics across the city in the previous years’ budgets but this could not be done because of interference from officials, especially in terms of hiring staff and paying salaries.

“Power bills remained unpaid and salaries of doctors were not disbursed. All of this was done by senior bureaucrats. It is clear they wanted our work to be hampered. After today’s order, we expect things to improve. Officers now know they are accountable to the minister and not to the L-G or Centre. The SC verdict is unequivocal when it comes to this,” sources said.

In its verdict, the Constitution bench observed that a democratically elected government needs to have control over its administration which comprises public officers, who are posted in the services of a particular government, irrespective of whether that government was involved in their recruitment.

“If services are excluded from its legislative and executive domain, ministers and executive who are charged with formulating policies in the territory of NCTD would be excluded from controlling civil service officers who implement such executive decisions,” it said.

Among the most controversial projects of the government — doorstep delivery of ration — will also see a renewed push. It, however, will not be smooth sailing as the Centre has opposed the project’s implementation, saying grains provided to states under the National Food Security Act can’t be delivered by any mechanism other than that prescribed.

(With inputs from Malavika Prasad)