NDMC suspends officer for granting licences to restaurants

In view of the alleged “corruption charges” in granting licences to restaurants in Connaught Place and other commercial areas in New Delhi, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) suspended a senior health officer earlier this week.

According to sources in the NDMC, the suspended official P.K. Sharma, Medical Officer of Health, had been allegedly engaging in granting licences and clearances without following due procedure.

In his suspension order, a copy of which has been accessed by The Sunday Guardian, the NDMC has restrained Sharma from leaving the capital till the investigations against him are completed.

In the order, the NDMC said, “A disciplinary proceeding against Dr P. K. Sharma is contemplated… Dr P. K. Sharma is being placed under suspension with immediate effect. It is further ordered that during this period he shall remain in the headquarters in New Delhi and shall not leave the headquarters without obtaining previous permission of the NDMC chairman.”

A source seeking anonymity, told The Sunday Guardian, “It was decided to take action against Sharma after NDMC received reports about his irregularities after which he is placed under suspension.”

“The charges against him are being investigated internally after which a report will be filed to take appropriate action,” the source added.

This newspaper contacted Sharma for his version of the story. However, Sharma declined to speak on the subject.

The NDMC secretary, Chanchal Yadav, however, said, “It is an internal matter which is being investigated and we are not answerable to anyone for taking disciplinary action against our employee.”

Earlier the NDMC had raised concerns over the illegal usage of the terraces of old buildings by commercial complexes in the national capital. A similar misuse had led to the collapse of a part of a building in Connaught Place in February this year.