Desilting of drains: Erring Delhi officials to face action

The Delhi assembly on Monday passed a resolution to take action against the erring officials following the recommendations of the Petition Committee.

Delhi PWD Minister Satyendar Jain also advocated action against his department's officials who failed to perform pre-monsoon works.

Replying to a discussion on the report of the Petition Committee, which found numerous irregularities in desilting of drains and other pre-monsoon work by the Public Works Department (PWD) and civic bodies, Jain said he had held meetings with the PWD officials, civic bodies regarding effective implementation of the pre-monsoon measures.

"In a meeting with the Lt. Governor, civic bodies have said 95 per cent of the drains have been cleaned but the reality was different. If PWD officials got inspired from the MCD and did not perform their work properly, then I am in support of the action against them as recommended by the committee," Jain told the house.

He, however, subtly hit out at the central government and alleged: "Several officials of the PWD -- concerning pre-monsoon works -- were transferred just before the monsoon which adversely affected the works."

The house also resolved for an 'Action Taken Report' on the implementation of recommendations of the Petition Committee's report within a period of 30 days beginning on Monday.

Chairman of the Committee on Petitions Saurabh Bharadwaj on June 30 tabled the report in the assembly, which concluded that the officials in-charge of desilting of drains and prevention of waterlogging have miserably failed in discharging their duties.

The committee in its report has recommended that Delhi Chief Secretary M.M. Kutty should probe the numerous irregularities in desilting of drains and other pre-monsoon work by the PWD, civic bodies and take appropriate action.

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

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

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also gave specific instructions to the PWD Secretary that he should visit the important drains to ensure their desilting ahead of monsoon. Later, he accused Kumar of "openly and brazenly" violating his directions.

--IANS

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