NEW DELHI: Designated officers from Delhi government departments and local bodies will face action if they skip Jan Sunwai (public hearing) camps without prior approval. The Divisional Commissioner has issued fresh orders making their attendance compulsory.
According to the order, if a designated officer is unable to attend, they must seek prior permission from the concerned District Magistrate. Absence without such approval will invite disciplinary action.
Copies of the order have been circulated to all Department Heads, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), Delhi Development Authority (DDA), New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) and the Delhi Cantonment Board.
On April 7, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, in a meeting with the Divisional Commissioner and all District Magistrates (DMs), had directed that at least one public hearing camp be held every week in each revenue district. She had also instructed that inter-departmental coordination committee meetings be convened regularly in various sub-divisions. The CM made it clear that only designated officers must attend these forums for direct dialogue with the public. Sending representatives or subordinate staff would not be acceptable under any circumstances.
During a review meeting on June 4, the Chief Minister once again stressed that if a designated officer is unable to attend, prior permission from the concerned District Magistrate is mandatory. Officers absent without permission will face disciplinary action.
Following these directions, the Divisional Commissioner’s office found that some officers and staff from various departments had failed to attend public hearing camps and coordination meetings. Expressing serious concern, the Divisional Commissioner has now ordered each department to nominate officers at the sub-divisional or Deputy Commissioner level who will regularly attend. Departments must ensure that nominated officers remain present at these camps.
The order further states that in all districts, one public hearing camp and one inter-departmental coordination meeting must be held every week without fail. These directives have been issued by the District Magistrates in line with the Chief Minister’s instructions and with the approval of the Secretary (Revenue).