Following the transfer of Harak Singh Rawat from the post of Mukhya Nagar Adhikari (MNA) in the Municipal Corporation of Dehradun due to alleged political interference, the Dehradun Mayor Vinod Chamoli has also stated that political interference could be behind the repeated transfer of officials from the corporation. Rawat himself has alleged interference by a cabinet minister allegedly encouraging encroachment and illegal constructions. Meanwhile, Nitin Singh Bhadoria assumed charge as the MNA on Monday.
It will be recalled that after being transferred out of the post of the MNA a couple of days ago, Rawat had alleged that a cabinet minister and a councillor were behind his transfer as he had taken stringent action against encroachment and illegal constructions even by prominent builders in Dehradun.
On Monday, the Dehradun Mayor Vinod Chamoli also said that frequent transfers of officials posted as the MNA were questionable with about five of them being transferred within a period of two years. He said that effective execution of developmental works as required becomes difficult if officials are frequently transferred. Transferring officials is within the purview of the State Government, but transferring them shortly after they assume charge appears questionable and influenced by political interference, he said.
It is worth mentioning here that Rawat and the Mayor had also in the past raised the issue of political interference in the MCD’s anti-encroachment drives. Municipal officials too point out that politicians treat those encroaching on municipal lands and occupants of unauthorised slums as vote banks and thwart the MCD’s efforts aimed at removing encroachments. Some prominent builders flouting the rules were also supported by politicians for their ulterior motives, they allege. Observers point out that ensuring the removal of encroachments from municipal lands will be among the major challenges facing Bhadoria who has assumed charge as the MNA at MCD.