East Delhi Mayor rejects report on advt poles

East Delhi Municipal Corporation mayor Annapurna Mishra and commissioner of the civic body S S Yadav were today at loggerheads on the issue of alleged irregularities in putting up of advertising unipoles.
Misra today rejected an inquiry report filed into allegations of coming up of unauthorised advertising unipoles -- large frames put up for advertising purposes-- in several areas that claimed that only six such structures were found while Yadav defended it.
The EDMC had ordered a probe last month into allegations that large number of advertising unipoles have come up in East Delhi area.
The Mayor of the BJP-ruled civic body alleged that as per her inspection record, there were about 210 unauthorised unipoles in the EDMC area. "In my surprise inspection on January 8, it was found that there were about 210 illegal unipoles. However, the report submitted to me says only six were found and dismantled."

The Mayor said the number of unauthorised unipoles in EDMC areas was much more then the number quoted by the probe panel. She said the inquiry was conducted by officials whom she had recommended for suspension for alleged irregularities.
However, Yadav dismissed the allegations and said it was a case of "misinformation" as the Mayor did not have a complete list of authorised unipoles. He said Mishra had failed to furnish the proof of her allegations regarding unauthorised unipoles.
"This is unfortunate and an attempt to mislead the public and the then additional commissioner JB Singh, who prepared the report, has tried to shield the officials of the advertising department," the Mayor told reporters.

She further alleged that her charges were investigated by five officials of the advertising department who she had recommended for suspension after the January inspection for failing to perform their duties.