In the Yogi Government, top officers do not listen even to ministers. So it seems.
This was reflected the way a powerful ministers in the state government took to Twitter to express his anguish and helplessness when officials of Estate department turned a deaf ear to his fervent plea for repair of roof at his official bungalow which leaks during rains.
Health minister Sidharthnath Singh, who also happens to be the government spokesman, took to Twitter to express his agony. The recent incessant rains exposed the leakage in the roof of the minister’s bungalow. As the intensity of rain increased, water started dripping and the staff was forced to put four buckets to collect water.
Singh took to Twitter to tell the world how helpless he was and tweeted from his handle @sidharthnsing that read: ‘Pathetic condition of minister’s bungalow &we hv to still depend on govt agencies. Time to look beyond them & bring competition / quality’. The pained minister also uploaded a picture of water dripping from roof.
The tweet brought varied response from the people. Some said that being a minister he should not criticize while others opined that it reflected the work culture in Yogi government. One even said that the minister uploaded a video while huts of the poor dripped every monsoon.
Singh was not available for his comment but an attendant at his residence said that the minister lodged a complaint with Estate department about the leaking roof. Rajya Sampati Adhikari (RSA) had assured the minister that the roof will be repaired but nothing was done.
“Bhai sahib, the situation in the morning was so bad that one felt that he was standing under a `jharna’ (shower). Water was dripping very fast,” the attendant said.
RSA Yogesh Shukla said that repair work was going on for last the two days but due to rains the work was affected
The situation is no different in other government colonies. The Indirana Nagar government colony Nagar turns into a cesspool after mild showers.
A glaring indicator of the Estate department’s narrowing apathy is the government building at la Palace Colony at the heart of the city in Hazratganj. After every shower, the 12-storeyed apartment witnesses knee deep water logging. Water gushes into the lifts rendering the elevator inoperational even as a senior Estate department official Sanjay Dubey resides in the apartment.
Senior journalist Hemant Maithil, who resides on the tenth floor of the partment, said that after every shower besides waterlogging, non-functional lifts pose severe threat to the elderly and children who have to be holed up for days till the water is drained out and the elevator starts functioning.
“In case of medical emergency, patients (especially the elderly) might have to pay with their lives. The Electrical engineer posted for upkeep of the lifts rarely takes the problem seriously causing insurmountable problems to the residents. Besides, after the water recedes, the puudles of slush water become veritable breeding grounds for mosquitoes. But prompt help from the Nagar Nigam is a rarity,” said Maithil.
“Numerous complaints to the Estate department, Nagar Nigam and Urban Development department over a decade have failed to draw attention of the officials. Its nightmarish,” lamented photo journalist Pankaj Ohri, a resident of the seventh floor of the apartment.
Meanwhile, around five hours of heavy rains in lucknow on Monday morning created havoc as several localities witnessed severe water logging near the Chief Minister’s residence.