The Hindu : New Delhi News : Sheila refuses to make public list of corrupt officers

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Mar 30, 2005

New Delhi

New Delhi

Sheila refuses to make public list of corrupt officers

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, MARCH 29. The Delhi Chief Minister, Sheila Dikshit, today refused to make public the list of corrupt officials drawn up by her Government on the plea that it was a secret document and could not be made public. These remarks by Ms. Dikshit in the Delhi Assembly led to protests from the Opposition benches who accused the Chief Minister of trying to shield the corrupt elements in the Administration.

Replying to a question by Vijay Jolly (BJP), the Chief Minister said it was true that the Vigilance Department and the Anti-Corruption Branch of the Delhi Government had prepared a list of employees with doubtful integrity. Mr. Jolly had also sought tabling of the list in the Delhi Assembly but Ms. Dikshit refused to do so terming it as a secret document that cannot be made public.

When the BJP members protested and pointed out that even the Central Vigilance Commission had made public such lists, the Chief Minister refused to budge from her stand. Mr. Jolly wanted to know how a senior official of the Food and Supplies Department, Pradeep Dhankar, was able to get himself posted as Director (Enforcement) after having served in the same post a few months ago. "Did he pay some money to a higher officials or political representative to get this lucrative posting when under rules he cannot be posted again for at least three years?'' he said.

This led to an uproar in the House with Ms. Dikshit stating that action was being taken and officials with doubtful integrity were not posted in sensitive posts. At this Harsh Vardhan (BJP) wanted to know why the Chief Minister was reluctant to make the list public and what happened to her campaign for Right to Information. But Ms. Dikshit continued to stick to her guns and refused to table the list on the plea that it was a secret document.

In another incident inside the House, the BJP legislators staged a walkout for the second consecutive day today protesting against the decision of the Speaker, Chaudhary Prem Singh, not to allow debate on law and order situation in the Capital.

The Congress MLA, Mahabal Mishra, mentioning under Rule 280 expressed concern over the appointment of private security guards and sweepers in government schools on contract basis and wanted the authorities to revoke this decision. Pointing out the problems that could arise from this situation, Mr. Mishra said that private contractor appointments were not properly scrutinised and at times a number of dubious characters found their way in to the system. This could threaten the security of the students especially girl students in schools and therefore recruitments should only be made through proper government agencies in such sensitive matters. He cited incidents of robbery and rape in the past where private security guards were party to criminal activities.

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