Delhi chief secretary to probe pre-monsoon work irregularities

Delhi assembly's Petition Committee on Friday asked Chief Secretary M.M. Kutty to probe the numerous irregularities in desilting of drains and other pre-monsoon work by the PWD, civic bodies and take appropriate action.

The committee made these recommendations when its chairman and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) legislator Saurabh Bharadwaj tabled its report in the House.

The committee also recommended to "keep aside" the Secretary, Public Works Department (PWD) Ashwini Kumar, who also holds additional charge of Secretary (Vigilance), from both the posts until the probe is completed.

"The Committee found many violations in desilting of drains and other works. Choked drains were shown completely clean on papers. Other pre-monsoon works were also not done properly by the concerned departments (PWD and civic bodies)," Bharadwaj told the House.

He also displayed photos in the House in which choked drains, falling under PWD and the three municipal corporations, were shown "completely clean" on paper.

"This happens every year... corruption (in concerned agencies) regarding the desilting work is spread from top to bottom," Bharadwaj said adding the pre-monsoon work was not done properly by the concerned authorities.

Ashwini Kumar was made the head of a Joint Committee formed to properly conduct pre-monsoon work in the city.

The Delhi assembly's Petition Committee had earlier this month conducted several inspections in various areas of north, east and south Delhi to check the progress of pre-monsoon work including desilting of drains and nullahs.

"We had asked the Joint Committee (headed by Kumar) to issue and advertise a WhatsApp helpline number where people can register their problems related to choking of drains and water-logging. But we could not find any such advertisement," Bharadwaj said.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, earlier this month, had given specific instructions to the PWD secretary that he (Kumar) should visit the important drains to ensure their desilting ahead of monsoon.

Later, he had accused Kumar of "openly and brazenly" violating his directions.

--IANS

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