HC raps PWD for delay in renovation of police flats

The Delhi High Court today rapped the Public Works Department for "not taking any steps" on renovation of flats meant for police personnel like constables and ASIs.
"The matter has been pending since 2013 and it appears Respondent 4 (PWD) is not taking any steps," Justice V P Vaish said and sought the presence of the chief engineer of the civic body on the next date of hearing on October 5.
The judge sought presence of the official as PWD had not filed any report indicating it had complied with earlier court directions and was instead "making statements in the air".

"No compliance report filed. Place what you have to say on record. Don't make statements in the air," it said.
The court on May 25 had directed PWD to examine issues raised in a report, filed by lawyers for both sides after inspecting the 56 flats, and to file a compliance report.
The civic body today claimed it had completed renovation work with respect to 56 flats handed over to it and these had been repossessed by the cops to whom they had been allotted.

It said the flats were renovated as per norms of the Central Public Works Department (CPWD).

It also said the remaining 50 flats have been handed over to it and tender process is underway.
On putting up shades over the bathrooms and toilets of the 56 flats, to maintain privacy, PWD said tender has been floated but contract not yet awarded due to a strike of the contractors.
The PWD's reply prompted the court to remark, "How long will it take? Is it a five year plan?"
"Will call for Chief Engineer. Then only it will be solved and it will be solved," the court said.
The lawyers for petitioner, Constable Dashrath, during arguments told the court that allotees of the 56 flats were issued a notice to occupy their flats or face consequences, due to which they moved into the accommodation without all issues being resolved.

Advocates Sanjeev Sahay and Balendu Shekhar, who appeared for Dashrath, told the court that occupants of the other 50 flats were directed to move out to alternate accommodation on July 25, but till date no work has commenced in their flats.
The court was hearing a plea filed in 2013 claiming that 106 flats allotted to police personnel in 2004 in Dwarka were in a dilapidated state.