Civic officials suspended for negligence sanitation duties in Delhi

Lt Governor Najeeb Jung Wednesday drove home to local officials the importance of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, or Clean India Campaign when, after a surprise check of government buildings and public facilities, he suspended and transferred civic officials.

After visiting 8 hospitals, 20 schools and 6 municipal deputy commissioner's offices across Delhi, Jung expressed his unhappiness over shoddy implementation of the programme.

The campaign was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi Oct 2 with an aim to make Indian litter-free by 2019.

"Zonal municipal deputy commissioner was suspended while show-cause notices were issued to few divisional commissioners.

"School principals were suspended and transferred, officials of public works department were suspended too," a statement added.

Jung told the officials that "Let this (visit) be a warning. More action will follow. Swachh Bharat Mission is an important mission and anyone found lacking shall be shown no mercy."

"These surprise visits will become a weekly affair. I along with my officers shall be leading these visits to various departments/offices every week." a statement said quoting Jung.

Expressing dissatisfaction with the state of affairs, Jung directed the chief secretary (Delhi) to issue a written warning to the deputy commissioner (Shahdara South).