The Times of India 07.09.2010
Protest in MCD House
NEW DELHI: The BJP-ruled MCD on Monday cornered MCD commissioner K S Mehra, launching an attack on him for alleged violation of provisions of the Delhi Municipal Act. The BJP members accused the commissioner of “encroaching upon” the rights of the MCD House in regulating appointment, promotion and disciplinary matters concerning grade-A officers.
The case of suspended senior MCD official G S Matharoo, was referred to by members of BJP, led by former Delhi mayor Aarti Mehra.
In 2005, the CBI had conducted several raids on the properties of Matharoo, who was then the secretary to the MCD commissioner. The CBI had found disproportionate assets to the tune of Rs 1 crore. Matharoo was then transferred to the post of director (Personnel) in the civic agency and was later suspended from his post after the CBI began prosecution against him in a local court.
Aarti Mehra said that a sub-committee was set up by the House to look into the allegation against him, however, without considering the findings of the committee, K S Mehra sanctioned his prosecution. “Why was the report not considered? The report was suppressed as per convenience. Moreover a letter was sent to the Attorney General seeking legal opinion on the issue. When the commissioner acted beyond his jurisdiction, the then mayor Dr Kanwar Sain wrote to the Ministry of Home Affairs,” Aarti Mehra said.
An opinion from the AG and a letter from the Home Secretary GK Pillai have recently come favouring the House members’ stand. “Following the opinion from Attorney General (AG) of India, it has become quite clear that the power of promotion or initiating disciplinary action of `A class officer’ lies with House only,” Aarti Mehra said. The members also passed a resolution to the same affect during the House meeting.
The Commissioner, meanwhile, said there are a `lot of legal issues’ involved in the matter and he will submit a report on it before the House.
The case of suspended senior MCD official G S Matharoo, was referred to by members of BJP, led by former Delhi mayor Aarti Mehra.
In 2005, the CBI had conducted several raids on the properties of Matharoo, who was then the secretary to the MCD commissioner. The CBI had found disproportionate assets to the tune of Rs 1 crore. Matharoo was then transferred to the post of director (Personnel) in the civic agency and was later suspended from his post after the CBI began prosecution against him in a local court.
Aarti Mehra said that a sub-committee was set up by the House to look into the allegation against him, however, without considering the findings of the committee, K S Mehra sanctioned his prosecution. “Why was the report not considered? The report was suppressed as per convenience. Moreover a letter was sent to the Attorney General seeking legal opinion on the issue. When the commissioner acted beyond his jurisdiction, the then mayor Dr Kanwar Sain wrote to the Ministry of Home Affairs,” Aarti Mehra said.
An opinion from the AG and a letter from the Home Secretary GK Pillai have recently come favouring the House members’ stand. “Following the opinion from Attorney General (AG) of India, it has become quite clear that the power of promotion or initiating disciplinary action of `A class officer’ lies with House only,” Aarti Mehra said. The members also passed a resolution to the same affect during the House meeting.
The Commissioner, meanwhile, said there are a `lot of legal issues’ involved in the matter and he will submit a report on it before the House.
