Chandigarh Administration officials would now be taken to task for delayed work. For, the UT Administration has decided to fix the responsibility on the officers for delaying the administrative work. “There will be zero tolerance in this regard. Officers will be held responsible for delaying the projects or other administrative works,” Adviser to the UT Administrator Vijay Kumar Dev made it clear.
Dev, interacting with the media persons in the Meet-the-Press event on Monday, elaborated, “There are three types of officers in the Administration. One slab is of zero to five percent officers who do not perform at all, then comes a large chunk of five to 95 per cent officer, who use delaying tactics, and then the next slab of officers between 95 to 100 per cent who have self-imposed rules and work on their own.”
It has become imperative to fix the responsibility of officers to ensure good governance in the city, he added. The former Chief Election Officer at Delhi, who joined as Adviser nearly two months ago, voiced his concerns over the north-south divide in the city.
“There is a huge gap between northern and southern sectors. The administration is doing its best to reduce the difference between them,” he said. Sharing his future plans for the city, Dev said that the administration has started identifying department-wise areas, and all officers will sit together for further course of action.
Dev said, “we are yet to compile details of all the projects. We would also put it on public domain so that the public would be able to see the work’s progress”. He said that Swachchh Bharat Abhiyan, started from February 16 at Sector 47, would continue sector-wise and day-to day schedule of all departments and civic body would be prepared for keeping the city clean.
Admitting poor maintenance of parks, drains and drinking water facilities, he said: “Parks are ill maintained, drains are choked, drinking water pipes are leaking at several places in the city.”
Dev also added, “We are chalking out plans to make working at Estate office and Housing Board citizens friendly. Several, reforms are in the pipeline.” “The discussion on issue related to conversion of leasehold to free hold with Chandigarh housing board is also going on”, said Dev.
Public would audit the Government work now
An independent audit would be done about the work carried out by the UT officials through the local Resident Welfare Associations or Market Welfare Associations here. “Public representative will certify the work of the higher authorities”, said Dev while adding that the UT officials would have to pay the field visit regularly. It is our duty and will remain as our priority.
Capital Complex to be opened for public
Soon, Capital Complex will be opened for the general public. At present, Capitol Complex areas are completely under surveillance and cordoned off and people can visit the area after getting permission from higher authorities. Adviser said that we are working on a plan so that general public is allowed to go there from time to time.
Intelligent Traffic System
Admitting that there is huge problem of traffic and parking in the city, Dev said that steps are being taken for the implementation of “Intelligent Traffic System”. With this, the UT Administration can manage the traffic with proper management. The UT Administration is also thinking to introduce dedicated lane system for “Disaster management”. Only ambulances, police or fire brigade vehicles would be allowed on it. Discussion on metro project is also on”, he said.
Smart City Chandigarh
Chandigarh fulfills the ‘pre-eligibility’ criteria for Smart city status. The UT Administration is making efforts to make Chandigarh, a smart city. The Centre is working on this and city is likely to get enough budgets for this.