JOIN USCong seeks action against South Corpn commissioner
Leader of opposition in South Delhi Municipal Corporation Farhad Suri has demanded action against commissioner Manish Gupta for allegedly providing false information while replying to questions raised by elected representatives.
The issue is related to irregularities in posting of officials in sensitive posts within the corporation. The opposition Congress in the South Delhi Municipal Corporation had raised the question four months back in the House.
On Tuesday, raising the issue before the standing committee Farhad Suri alleged that in a reply to a question related to the issue, commissioner Manish Gupta gave conflicting answers.
“Even though a copy of the circular sent by the director, local bodies was addressed to the commissioner in May, the reply I received yesterday states that the circular itself hasn’t reached the commissioner’s office,” Suri said.
He also alleged that there were other cases when the officials either tried to mislead the members, or delayed in providing information sought.
“We keep waiting for answers from the officials. But since the commissioner knew that the issue would be rai-sed before the standing committee, I received answers to 12 questions on Monday,” Suri added.
The directorate of local bodies’ circular to the three municipal bodies stated that officers who have handled sensitive posts for more than two
years in their previous dispensation should not be posted to handle the same assignment again.
However, the letter sent to Suri from SDMC’s office of the director (personnel) states:
“This office is neither in receipt of the same nor it is available on the website of director of local bodies. It is, therefore, requested to provide a copy of the same at the earliest.”
The opposition leader demanded the standing committee chairman Rajesh Gehlot to take action against the commissioner or else he will bring in a resolution in the House seeking the officer’s removal.
“If the standing committee does not take action then I will initiate action under Section 54 (Part 3A) of the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act. The law provides for removal of the commissioner if the House passes the resolution with 3/5th majority,” he said, adding this provision has never been invoked in the past against any commissioner.
However, standing committee chairman said the issue has been sorted out.
“It was a minor issue created due to miscommunication. We have discussed the issue and the matter has been sorted out,” Gehlot said.