Now, it’s CM versus CS on illegal colonies

NEW DELHI: Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has written to chief secretary Anshu Prakash citing “glaring discrepancies” in two reports, received on March 13 and 14, on development work in unauthorised colonies and rural villages. The chief minister has asked the chief secretary to “fix responsibility” and submit a report.

In response, the Joint forum of the officers (IAS, DANICS and DASS) said the move was “an attempt to intimidate the chief secretary” and stated that the file had “gone through the concerned minister” and the chief minister should question him instead of the chief secretary.

Kejriwal, in a letter dated March 26, said, “I have perused the above files and have found glaring discrepancies and infirmities in the same which makes it hard to trust its veracity. The chief secretary is directed to get a comprehensive list of all discrepancies prepared and submit the same by noon on March 28.”

“A perusal of these deficiencies shows that they are of very serious nature. Some colonies where work is complete have been shown as incomplete. This crates scope for ghost work and for raising false bills. This wrong information might have been provided with that intention. Therefore the chief secretary should fix responsibility.”

The government officials alleged that chief secretary has not yet submitted the “rectified report” which was to be sent to CM’S office by March 28. “Now the CM has asked the chief secretary to submit the rectified report by noon on April 5,” a government official said.

Reacting to the allegations, the joint forum of officers said, “As per the transaction of business rules, each secretary is responsible for each department and the minister is the overall in-charge. It is incorrect to ask the chief secretary’s office for this information.