Dikshit attacks lieutenant governor

NEW DELHI - Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor Tejendra Khanna was Thursday attacked by Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and the ruling Congress legislators for his “encroachment” upon the rights of the government led by her.

The attack comes in the backdrop of his refusal to give assent to the Delhi cabinet’s decision on fixing land rates in various colonies in the capital.

Refusing to sign the cabinet’s decision on the land rates, Khanna has twice returned the related file asking the cabinet to reconsider its decision.

Raising the matter, Dikshit said it is strange that “interpretation” of constitutional provisions by certain vested interests is eclipsing our rights, noting that “we will never allow encroachment of our rights”.

In a democracy only the duly elected government is known as a government in all respects, she said, adding an order issued in 2002 by the union home ministry was creating obstacles in the functioning of her government.

The administrative orders of 2002 said that the lieutenant governor was the “government” as far as Delhi was concerned.

She said the government has never encroached powers of the Delhi Development Authority and police, which were administered by the lieutenant governor.

Education Minister Arvinder Singh Lovely said Khanna should not interfere in the decisions of the government.

Legislator Mukesh Sharma, citing the land rate issue, said that Khanna should maintain dignity and never try to encroach upon the powers of an elected government.