Officials skipping vital meetings: Govt

NEWDELHI: A discussion with the Haryana government to resolve the ongoing water crisis in Delhi and another meeting to review the ‘Clean Air’ campaign were among the several meetings that were cancelled over the past four days due to the ongoing conflict between the Delhi government and its bureaucracy.

Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday submitted a list of meetings to lieutenant governor Anil Baijal where Delhi government officials did not turn up. In what could further strain the already bitter relationship of the Delhi government with its officials, Kejriwal and his cabinet colleagues urged Baijal to take “strict action” against the officers who have skipped meetings since February 20.

“In the last three days, gov-

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Haryana-delhi meeting on ammonia in water supply. Haryana CS came.

meetings that were cancelled,” Sisodia said after meeting Baijal.

The government said that the water crisis due to a rise in ammonia levels has not been resolved in the city to date because chief secretary Anshu Prakash did not attend a scheduled meeting with the his counterpart of Haryana, despite having directions from the National Green Tribunal.

Another event that was highlighted by the political executive to the L-G was that of the ‘Youth Festival’ organised by the Sahitya Kala Parishad on Thursday at Central Park in Connaught Place.

“Before leaving for the function, the office of the deputy CM confirmed with Sindhu Mishra of the Sahitya Kala Parishad about arrival timings. Mishra confirmed the minister can come by 6.30pm. She personally confirmed that she was present there and the ground was full. But, when the minister reached there, Mishra switched off her mobile and left the venue. There was no officer present during the function,” read the document prepared by the government.

Sisodia later told reporters that the cabinet expressed concerns to the L-G over governance as bureaucrats are not only boycotting meetings, but they are also turning down phone calls of ministers and not replying to text messages.

But, the Joint Forum of Delhi Government Officers and Employees Association denied work was being affected. “We reiterate that work is going on smoothly. Government officers and employees of Delhi are working daily during regular working hours and beyond whenever necessary,” the forum said in a statement.

After a meeting on Friday evening, the forum also resolved to continue work only through formal written means of communication with the political executives. NEWDELHI: A delegation of IAS officers working under the Delhi government on Friday met union ministers Jitendra Singh and Hansraj Gangaram Ahir and apprised them about their apprehension about their “safety and dignity” following the alleged attack on the chief secretary.

The Joint Forum of Delhi Government Officers and Employees Association said that both the ministers were apprised about other instances of verbal assault and harassment of officers in the past. “Both the ministers assured full cooperation and said that it was the duty of the government to provide safe and dignified environment to the officers,” the statement said. “This silent protest shall continue,” it said.

MOS in the PMO, Singh later said that he heard the members and took cognisance of their grievances and concerns.