In a letter addressed to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Saxena expressed his concern over the delay in administering the oath of office to Justice (Retd) Umesh Kumar as the Chairperson of the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC). The LG urged for the oath to be administered without any further delay and preferably by June 28.
According to the letter, President appointed Justice Kumar as the Chairperson of DERC through a notification in the Gazette on June 21. However, despite Justice Kumar’s availability from June 26 onwards, the oath ceremony has been delayed.
LG Saxena reminded that it is the responsibility of the Minister of Power to administer the oath of office and secrecy to the Chairperson and Members of DERC. He emphasized that any deviation from the statutorily logical processes of governance would lead to anarchy and must be avoided. He further stressed that compliance with the Constitutional and statutory provisions is essential, and institutions cannot be held ransom.
The LG urged Chief Minister Kejriwal to ensure that the Minister of Power administers the oath of office and secrecy to Justice Kumar without any further delay, preferably by June 28 as indicated by him earlier. The post of Chairperson of DERC is a crucial public office and has been vacant for a long time, and now that Justice Kumar has been appointed by the President, it should be complied with immediately.
The letter emphasizes the need to maintain the prescribed Constitutional and statutory provisions and calls for adherence to the President’s decision. It warns that any deviation would be akin to disregard and violation of the Constitutional scheme of things.
The delay in administering the oath of office to the new DERC Chairman has raised concerns over the functioning and stability of the institution. The appointment of a Chairperson for such a significant public office is a matter of urgency, and the government should prioritize its swift resolution.
It remains to be seen how Chief Minister Kejriwal responds to the LG’s letter and whether the oath ceremony for Justice Kumar will be conducted as requested. The function and effectiveness of the DERC depend on the swift and efficient administration of its leadership, and any delay could have implications for the regulatory body’s ability to address electricity-related matters in the capital city.
