The deadlock over Delhi’s next Chief Secretary continues, with the Union Home Ministry rejecting Aam Aadmi Party’s choice for the vacant post. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had recommended the appointment of 1984 batch IAS officer Ramesh Negi. 

The Home ministry rejected Negi’s candidature on grounds that he is too junior and does not fall in the prescribed pay grade of Rs 80,000 per month for the post. MHA has recommended appointment as per the seniority list.  Negi is currently the Chief Secretary of Arunachal Pradesh and has formerly worked as chief executive officer of the Delhi Jal Board. According to The Hindu, Kejriwal has also suggested Goa Chief Secretary K.K. Sharma’s name as a second option for the post. 

The Delhi government had earlier rejected a three-member panel of three senior IAS officers sent by the Union Home Ministry to choose from for the top post . Delhi’s Chief Secretary D.M. Spolia retired on Saturday.  The Union Home Ministry has appointed S.N. Sahay as the interim chief Secretary.