Delhi lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung on Wednesday suspended Shahdara North Deputy Commissioner Alka Sharma, Principals of two schools and Public Works Department (PWD) officials in charge of maintenance of Sarvodaya Kanya Vidyalaya, Bharat Nagar and Rohini for not implementing the ‘Swachchh Bharat Abhiyan’.
The lieutenant Governor along with senior officers of the Raj Niwas has carried out surprise inspections of various Government buildings to check implementation of the cleanliness campaign across the city during which he visited eight hospitals, 20 schools and six Municipal Deputy Commissioner’s offices.
The suspended include Shahdara North Deputy Commissioner Alka Sharma, Principal of Sarvodaya Kanya Vidyalaya, JJ Colony in Wazirpur and Principal and Vice Principal of Sarvodaya Bal Vidyalaya, Rani Jhansi Road. Jung also directed the Delhi Chief Secretary to issue showcause notices to the Municipal DCs of Civil lines and Shahdara South.
Also, Assistant Engineers (PWD) in-charge of maintenance at Sarvodaya Kanya Vidyalaya, Bharat Nagar and Sarvodaya Vidyalayas in Sector 6, Rohini were suspended for not maintaining hygiene. The contract of cleanliness at Baba Saheb Ambedkar Hospital, Rohini was cancelled and the medical superintendent of NC Joshi Hospital, Karol Bagh was issued a written warning.
While visiting the schools, Jung closely inspected the conditions of toilets, including those under repair and gave directions to the concerned officials to expedite work. Jung also asked Raj Niwas officials to issue letter of appreciation to the Government schools who are properly going ahead.
“These surprise visits will become a weekly affair. I along with my officers shall be leading these visits to various departments and offices every week. Swachchh Bharat Abhiyan is an important mission and anyone found lacking shall be shown no mercy. let this be a warning. More action will follow,” said Jung after the review.
The Delhi Government has appointed Dr Geetanjali Gupta Kundra, a 1992 batch IAS has been appointed as the nodal officer for implementing the cleanliness campaign.
It is noted that The Pioneer has reported earlier that lieutenant Governor is taking seriously of only Central Government’s directions. At Head of Departments and Secretaries meeting, Chief Secretary Deepak Mohan Spolia has expressed annoyance over poor performance and failing to implement cleanliness drive at corporation level and Delhi Government level and performance of departments was not up to the mark. Some of senior officials have expressed displeasure over the manner they are being told to focus on only ‘Swachchh Bharat Abhiyan’.
Earlier this month, Spolia had directed secretaries and HoDs to focus their attention to bring visible improvement in the cleanliness of the city. Even, lieutenant Governor in his meeting with HoDs has expressed displeasure of civic bodies and departments of Delhi Government as their performance was not up to the mark. Strangely, most of the departments have no action plan regarding ‘Swachchh Bharat Abhiyan’.
During the last meeting, the Delhi Chief Secretary has directed to formulate a specific action plan for cleanliness and upgradation of facilities in schools and in public places.