SDMC’s vigilance officer fails vote test

NEW DELHI: The BJP-led South Delhi Municipal Corporation on Tuesday lost a vote of confidence over the appointment of a new chief vigilance officer (CVO).

Tuesday’s loss comes after the south corporation had already given an anticipatory approval and appointed Mangesh Kashyap as the chief vigilance officer last month.

Officials said Kashyap now might be repatriated and the process of appointing a chief vigilance officer restarted.

Subhash Arya, leader of house, South Delhi Municipal Corpoartion said: “The decision has been rejected by the appointment committee. However, the matter will now be presented in the House, where a final decision will be taken”.

South Delhi Mayor Shyam Sharma too said that the House was the final authority.

“The House is the supreme authority. So, even after being rejected by the appointment committee, the House has the authority to approve an appointment,” he said.

Sources said after the setback, all decisions taken by Kashyap will now also stand null and void.

The Opposition Congress has, however, demanded the resignation of BJP leaders for losing.

“The BJP had illegally appointed an officer of their choice as the CVO. When they tried to go through the process, they lost. Now they will need to repatriate him or we will take legal actions against the BJP leaders,” said Farhad Suri, leader of Opposition.

Previously, the Congress had alleged that Kashyap’s appointment had not been approved by the appointment and promotion committee of the civic body as per norms. HTC