DDA braces for a likely change from builder to planner

Our aim is to make the organisation dynamic and ensure optimal utilisation of staff

NEW DELHI: The Delhi Development Authority (DDA), the capital’s biggest landowning agency, is likely to undergo a major organisational re-haul that will reduce its sanctioned workforce by nearly 48% as its role changes from that of a developer to a planner and a regulator, officials familiar with the developments said.

These changes, once approved, will mean that DDA does less of construction and more of planning and management of government land. The authority has had trouble selling several housing projects over the past six years, and has an inventory of about 10,000 vacant flats and 30,000 flats in various stages of construction.

The restructuring was first planned in 2014, when DDA engaged the National Productivity Council (NPC) to look at the body’s future and optimal utilisation of staff going forward.

According to the proposed phase-wise restructuring — which has been shared with DDA employees on its website —

ANURAG JAIN,

it plans to cut the total sanctioned strength from 13,383 to 6,860 by reducing its staff strength in the Group B and Group C categories by 1,974 (from 4,123) and 5,292 (from 8,611) respectively.

Group A, which has a staff of 649, will be increased to 1,392.

Group A employees are commissioners, directors, and deputy director-level officials; Group B are junior and assistant engineers; and Group C are support staff such as gardeners and security guards who manage parks, housing projects and offices.

“We are looking at a change in our role and moving towards being a planner, regulator and managing government land. This requires changes in the profile of departments,” DDA vicechairman Anurag Jain said.

DDA vice-chairman