Govt pushes for development work
NEWDELHI: As Delhi stares at possible byelections, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government has started pulling all stops to finish pending development works in unauthorised colonies.
The government, which aims to finish all pending work by the end of this year, has now also decided to penalise contractors in case of any lapses.
The city’s irrigation and flood control department, in a circular earlier this month, has asked officials to take steps to ensure that all projects are completed within the time-frame prescribed in the work order. Delhi has around 1,600 unauthorised colonies – residents of which are a key voter base for the Aam Aadmi Party.
The move to push for unfinished development work came a day after chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and his deputy Manish Sisodia directed officials con- cerned to speed up the pace of the development works in unauthorised colonies, that includes laying down water and sewer lines and resurfacing colony roads.
“Appropriate action will be initiated against contractors, including imposition of penalty, for not completing work as per schedule,” the circular read.
The order also stated that any laxity in compliance of the order will be viewed seriously and action will be taken against the erring officers.
An official of the irrigation and flood control department said that a fortnightly review meeting will be held in the chamber of the chief engineers to review the progress of each project with superintending engineer concerned of the circle.
“Besides, a similar protocol of reviewing of all cases on weekly basis will be followed by the superintending engineer with the executive engineer,” an official said.
The government directive assumes significance following the disqualification of 20 AAP MLAS by the Election Commission (EC) for allegedly holding offices of profit. The party has challenged the poll body’s order in the Delhi High court.
However, the department stated that in situations that are “beyond one’s control” the deadlines could be updated.
“In cases, where the circumstances of delay are beyond the control of the department, a fresh timeline will be prescribed after taking into consideration all the constraints in the process of execution of the project. It will be the responsibility of superintending and executive engineers to ensure the project is completed within the revised timeline,” the order read.