New Delhi
Amid an intensifying power battle in Delhi, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday claimed that Lt Governor Anil Baijal-appointed panel’s recommendation for obtaining “mandatory permission” from police to install CCTV cameras in the national capital would increase “bribery”.

While Kejriwal met Union Home Minister over the prevailing developments, an anguished Aam Aadmi Party government claimed “unlawful control” over services by the LG is preventing it to take action against defiant officers who are “openly turning down” decisions taken by the government and “shuttling files” related to major initiatives for deliberately delaying their implementation.

The issues in the latest that have escalated the war between the Kejriwal government and the Centre are CCTV cameras installation, doorstep delivery of ration and 20 per cent performance bonus to daily wage earners in the national capital.

Kejriwal termed it a “big blow” to women’s safety, pointing out that all existing cameras in Delhi will have to be removed till they obtain licence and installation of new CCTVs will be delayed too for the same.

In the evening, the Delhi CM met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh to discuss the situation arising out of the Supreme Court’s July 4 judgment on the power sharing between the AAP government and the Centre.

In a series of tweets, Kejriwal said nowhere in the world such a licensing is required. The LG’s committee has mandated a licence from the police for installing CCTV cameras by private or government bodies, he noted.

“All existing CCTVs will also need police license. Height of license Raj in 21st century. What will police see before giving CCTV license? On what basis will police give license? It will only increase bribery. Its a huge blow to women safety becoz all existing cameras in Del will have to be removed ,” Kejriwal tweeted.

Peeved at the latest developments, deputy CM Manish Sisodia came down heavily on the BJP-led Centre claiming the SC ruling is being arbitrarily interpreted by it to further derail the Delhi government’s work through officers.

“Despite the SC ruling that services is a transferred subject the BJP is keeping it under the reserved category. This is sending a wrong message that you keep taking decisions but we will not let them implemented as services is with them. Question arises why the LG is insisting,” Sisodia asked.

“The suspicion arises when the government is trying to check corruption in ration delivery why is the BJP and the Centre through the LG and officers hell bent to stall the government’s work. On doorstep delivery of ration the Food Commissioner is objecting saying the Law Department needs to be consulted,” the deputy CM added.

Claiming that another instance in which the Centre is intervening to scuttle the Delhi government’s work, Sisodia said, “Yesterday, a meeting of the DSIIDC Board, chaired by the minister, was held in which a decision regarding payment of 20 per cent performance bonus to daily wage earners taken in December earlier by it government was turned down.”

On the CCTV cameras’ issue, Kejriwal, after his meeting with Singh, said he apprised the latter about the “strange interpretation and selective implementation” of the SC verdict by the LG. Singh, who will be away from Delhi for three days, is understood to have said he will discuss the matter his officers and meet Kejriwal on July 16.