NEW DELHI: Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung may have been announcing government projects and schemes every other day as the chief of Delhi government, his announcements have failed to translate into action on the ground.
On August 15, as Delhi completed six months under the President’s Rule, the report card of the announced projects presents a rather dismal picture, thanks to a bureaucratic logjam.
Jung has announced around 25 projects amounting to around `2,000 crore, but not a single project has been delivered. The projects include developing seven night shelters, providing piped water supply to 50 unauthorised colonies and sewerage system to 90 such colonies, building an Inter-State Bus Terminal at Sarai Kale Khan and Anand Vihar and setting up three children’s homes.
State BJP president Satish Upadhyay expressed displeasure over pace of work. “We are not satisfied with the work. L-G should have transferred officials and chalked out a plan for speedy delivery of works,” he said.
Refuting this, Simi Malhotra, adviser to the L-G, said, “The L-G has set up a Project Implementation Unit and representatives from all the multiple agencies are part of it. They are working to speed up implementation of several projects.”
The Project Implementation Unit, however, was set up just two weeks ago when the L-G realised there was complete lack of co-ordination among the agencies. “After setting up the Unit, things are moving fast,” Malhotra said. Several projects cleared by the L-G are hanging fire as related contentious issues have not been resolved.
Transportation: The Union government has allotted `3,702 crore to Delhi’s transport department. Money has been allotted to add 1,380 new DTC low-floor buses and to build an Inter-state Bus Terminal at Sarai Kale Khan and Anand Vihar. Though files have been cleared, work hasn’t started. The DTC has been issuing tenders to get 1,380 new non-AC buses for the last two years but they have been unsuccessful because of the monopoly of two bidders—Tata and Ashok Leyland—and other technical issues.
Night Shelters: At present 185 night shelters are operational in Delhi. The administration had planned to build seven more and even bought land for them. The L-G visited a few night shelters and directed Delhi Jal Board to ensure regular water supply to them. He had also directed Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board to review the availability of water and carry out an inspection drive. However, many night shelters still do not have water and power supply. Also, the shelters destroyed during a dust storm in May have not been repaired.
Unauthorised colonies: The L-G had set a deadline of March 2015 to regularize 902 unauthorised colonies. The Central government has also allotted `711 crore to provide piped water supply to 50 unauthorised colonies and sewerage system to 90 such colonies. Though orders have been issued, no work has yet been started.
Hospitals: In April, Jung inspected work at two hospitals—Lok Nayak and Guru Teg Bahadur—and announced they be made model hospitals. Hospital projects worth `940 crore are currently under execution, but little work has been done.
Women and Children Homes: On May 28, Jung visited Asha Kiran Complex, which houses mentally challenged kids and women at Rohini. After inspection, he directed that vacancies in the health cadre and the teaching cadre be filled. He announced setting up three new homes for children. But neither have the vacancies been filled nor has any construction work begun.
Schools: The L-G found that there is lack of basic amenities like toilets and other facilities in government-run school apart from an acute shortage of teachers. There is shortage of around 17,000 teachers and the schools are running with the help of contract teachers. The MCD announced recruitment of 2,000 teachers, however, there are still vacancies for 15,000 teachers.
Helpline Number: The exclusive helpline number 181 to handle calls of women in distress that was started after the December 2012 gangrape is facing several problems. Recently 181 crossed the 10 lakh phone call figure. Despite each employee spending 474 minutes of the 480 minutes in each eight-hour shift attending calls, the helpline unit is under staffed and able to attend just 70 per cent of the total calls. The helpline has a team of 16 women. Repeated requests by the helpline asking the government to recruit 12 more people have fallen on deaf ears.
Pollution: On May 13, the L-G constituted a committee to check pollution. He directed Delhi Pollution Control Committee to serve notices to polluting units and asked bureaucrats to take action against inspectors who don’t act on committee orders. The committee issued closure notices to 112 stainless steel picking units in Wazirpur industrial area for discharging untreated toxic waste into the Yamuna. However, many of these units are still functioning, defying all the notices, said a source in the committee.
DDA: In March, the L-G ordered restructuring of the Delhi Development Authority, including the working of its departments. The LG had instructed DDA to finish this exercise in four months. However, that has still not been done.
Yamuna Action Plan: On June 23, the L-G reviewed a comprehensive plan to develop the Yamuna and directed the Delhi Jal Board and all stake holders to spare no efforts for development of the river. He has decided to take up a comprehensive development of the river. A critical part of the initiative was to ensure abatement of pollution in the river. But so far, nothing concrete has taken place except for an announcement to start Water Treatment Plants at Pappankalan, Nilothi, Yamuna Vihar and Delhi Gate in the next few months.