The Hindu : New Delhi News : Congress MLAs revolt against Ministers

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Mar 11, 2005

New Delhi

New Delhi

Congress MLAs revolt against Ministers

By Sujay Mehdudia

NEW DELHI, MARCH 10. A dozen-odd Congress legislators have raised a banner of revolt against the "style of functioning'' of the Delhi Council of Ministers and its inability to get public welfare works done despite repeated reminders and meetings. These MLAs have not only demanded a complete review of the situation but also a shake-up of the Council of Ministers "to restore its efficiency and accountability as it has suddenly become a liability thereby damaging the image of the party and the government".

Although not attacking the Chief Minister, Sheila Dikshit, these MLAs, a majority of whom are considered loyal to Ms. Dikshit, are also planning to meet the Congress president, Sonia Gandhi, to apprise her of "poor functioning" of the Council of Ministers in particular and the government in general.

"We would write to Ms. Gandhi about the ineffective Ministers and their workings. A lot of inefficiency is being patronised and corruption has touched a new high in their departments. We would urge the high command to take action and set the situation right even if it means removing some Ministers from the Cabinet,'' said the three-time Seelampur MLA, Chaudhary Mateen Ahmed.

These legislators had met at Mr. Ahmed's office last evening and had decided to take up the issue of grant of Statehood to Delhi to give it more powers to solve the city's problems.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Chief Minister, Nasib Singh, was also present at the meeting and was party to the decisions taken there.

Prominent among others who took part in this meeting were Jile Singh Chauhan, Rajesh Jain, Baljore Singh, Amrish Gautam and Vir Singh Jhingan.

At the meeting, the legislators were particularly sore with the Finance Minister, A.K. Walia, and the Transport Minister, Haroon Yusuf, and wanted the leadership to review their working and even remove them if necessary.

Mr. Ahmed said that despite repeated reminders Dr. Walia had failed to take action about construction of a mosque at Azadpur and accused the Public Works Department of creating hurdles in completion of the building. "I have been petitioning Dr. Walia for the last four months but nothing is moving. There is total chaos and confusion and no decisions are being taken," he added.

The legislators were also sore at the "indifferent attitude" of Mr. Yusuf and his style of functioning. There is virtually no coordination in the departments handled by Mr. Yusuf and he is hardly available in office during the day. Mr. Yusuf is ineffective in his departments and has failed to resolve various matters that have been brought to his notice from time to time, Mr. Ahmed said.

The MLA was also critical of the decision of the previous Director (Education), Rajinder Kumar, to conduct a test for Class 8 and Class 10 students for getting entry into public schools. This order, it was felt, should be taken back. The legislators should be given more say and the officers should be tamed so that the issues raised by the elected representatives are resolved on time.

The legislators also wanted an end to multiplicity of authority in the Capital by granting Statehood to Delhi so that problems relating to land were resolved at the earliest.

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