The Pioneer 22.11.2010
Walia: Babus not following orders on regularizationRajesh Kumar | New Delhi
Taking cue from his Cabinet colleagues Arvinder Singh Lovely and Mangat Ram Singhal, Urban Development Minister Ashok Kumar Walia has reported to have complained about Secretary (Urban Development) B Selvaraj and Special Secretary KS Singh failing to clear the estimates pertaining to development and regularisation of unauthorised colonies.
The Minister said senior officials (UD Department) have failed to ensure implementation of instructions given by him. “They do not respond and give priority to unauthorised colonies,” said Walia, adding being a Minister, he is finding it helpless to clear files and estimates of these colonies.
Top sources said Walia was not happy with Selvaraj and Singh, two officials of the UD Department. Selvaraj is considered close to Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and is handling several departments of the Delhi Government. Similarly, Singh was also given the PFA Department and he has no time for the UD. “I do not know where they are busy,” said Walia.
Walia’s reaction came during a lunch hosted by Delhi Assembly Speaker Yoganand Shastri on Saturday in the wake of Winter Session beginning from Tuesday. The Chief Minister and MLAs from both the Congress and the BJP were present at that time.
According to sources, BJP members instigated Walia about development works and regularisation process of unauthorised colonies. Members also complained that their MLA funds are also unutilised. Sources said Dikshit has reported to have asked Walia to suggest few names for the UD Department.
Walia said that regularisation of unauthorised colonies is a lengthy and time consuming process. “The department needs good and efficient officers to deliver and implement the instructions given by the concerned department Minister,” he said.
The Minister said that the process of regularisation was already delayed due to Selvaraj’s predecessor DM Sapolia, who reportedly deliberately mentioned minutes of the meeting that was not the decision in the Ministers’ meeting.
It may be noted that earlier Lovely and Singhal have questioned the functioning of bureaucracy in the Delhi Government and complained to Dikshit.
Lovely had complained that minutes of the Cabinet did not reflect the decision taken and were interpreted differently. Chief Secretary Rakesh Mehta prepares minutes of the Cabinet meeting.
While, Singhal had questioned the functioning of the bureaucracy, alleging that the Chief Secretary and Secretary (Social Welfare) Manoj Parida bypassed his observations and his comments were not put before the Chief Minister pertaining to allowing NGOs to run Asha Kiran homes for mentally retarded persons. Singhal had also expressed displeasure that Cabinet decision was not reflected in the minutes of the meeting.
It may be noted that issue of regularisation of unauthorised colonies and unused MLA funds is all set to rock the Delhi Assembly Winter Session. Insiders say that development works have been stopped in unauthorised colonies and estimates of MLA funds have not been cleared. MLAs from both Congress and BJP have decided to raise the issue in the Assembly. As far as unauthorised colonies are concerned, Surveyor of India has cleared the lay out plan of 1000 colonies.
