Accusing a section of bureaucrats of adopting delaying tactics in clearing important files, Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia today warned them of punitive action even as he slammed IAS Officers’ Association for allegedly indulging in “politics”.
Training his guns on Lt Governor Najeeb Jung also, Sisodia said the government will not hesitate to “expose” him if he “spares” those officers who have been “deliberately stalling” work of the government.
The Deputy Chief Minister’s strong comments at a press conference came a day after the AGMUT (Arunachal Pradesh-Goa- Mizoram and Union Territory)-cadre IAS Officers Association and DANICS Officers Association jointly passed a resolution against “misbehaviour” by political executives in Delhi government.
Giving examples, Sisodia a number of key projects including increasing number beds in government hospitals from 10,000 to 20,000, setting up Mohalla Clinics and Aam Aadmi Canteen, laying of several important roads and development works in unauthorised colonies could not be started as files relating to them have not been cleared by officers for months.
He also said the file pertaining to promotion of father of Olympic medal winner wrestler Sakshi Malik was also pending for three months.
“Why the IAS Association summon the officers and issue resolution against them for sitting on the files for months.
These officers are stalling government work. We will not hesitate to take punitive action against the erring officers.
The IAS Association has just passed a political resolution and the organisation is politicising the issue,” Sisodia said.
He said the officers who do not want to work can get themselves transferred from Delhi.
“The file pertaining to promotion of father of wrestler Sakshi Malik who brought honour and pride to the country, is also pending for three months. Why the IAS association talk about the officer who is sitting on the file,” he said.
Malik’s father works as a conductor and Delhi government had promised him an out of turn promotion.
Sisodia said although there is no complaint of graft at the levels of ministers and secretaries, people apprised him about junior level officers in departments such as transport and revenue indulging in wrongdoings.
“Representatives of IAS officers’ association met me. I told them If the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) was with us, half of your officers would have been in jail,” he said.
Sisodia also raised the issue of Health Secretary Chandrakar Bharti allegedly refusing to visit LNJP hospital with Health Minister Satyandar Jain two days ago after a patient died due to lack of ventilator.
He said the officer refused to go with minister, saying he doesn’t have car.
“Such excuses will not be tolerated. People have given this government a mandate to work. Officers are bound to work for people as per their service rules and they get salary from peoples’ money.
“We will not sit silent if officers refuse people’s work.
We will take action. If LG spares these erring officers, we will then expose LG,” the Deputy CM said.
He further said, “We are not asking officers to do personal works of ours and MLAs. We have directed all officers if any MLA and minister ask them to do their personal work, the Chief Minister and I will stand as a shield in front of them. We are just asking officers to do people’s work,” Sisodia said.
In January, all DANICS officers’ association had gone on a one-day mass leave after the city administration had suspended two officers.