The Hindu : New Delhi News : Ministers, MLAs flouting Sonia's directive on ethics

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Oct 19, 2005

New Delhi

New Delhi

Ministers, MLAs flouting Sonia's directive on ethics

Sujay Mehdudia

Councillors, bureaucrats also continue to use beacon lights atop their vehicles

NEW DELHI: The Sheila Dikshit Government including her Cabinet Ministers, MLAs, Councillors, senior officers and various heads and members of boards and corporations have failed to adhere to the directive of the party president Sonia Gandhi asking them to discontinue the use of red light, siren, restriction on the number of vehicles with each Minister and discontinuation of STD/ISD facility at their residences.

Violations of norms

In blatant violation of the norms issued by the Congress president more than a month ago, a copy of which was sent to Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on September 12, Delhi Ministers continue to use beacon lights atop their vehicles. Not only this, each Minister has at least four vehicles under his command at any given point in time. Interestingly, not only the Ministers but the bureaucracy also has turned a deaf ear to the directives, indicating the seriousness about implementing the guidelines on austerity and ethics in public and private lives.

In the Code of Austerity and Ethics issued by Ms. Gandhi, it has been stated that only the Governor and the Chief Minister should be entitled to red light and siren on the vehicle. The number of official vehicles with each Minister should be restricted to one and use of official vehicles should be restricted to the area of jurisdiction.

Further, it states that there should be restriction on the number of official telephones at the offices and residences of the Ministers and officials, there should be a financial ceiling for bills for official telephones at the offices and residences, all STD and ISD facility on official residences of the Ministers and officers should be discontinued with immediate effect. The practise of allocating rank of Ministers, Minister of State and Deputy Minister to those heading corporations, boards, and commissions should be discontinued.

No move to follow directive

However, despite the clear directions, no movement has been seen in the Delhi Government for implementation of these directions. The Ministers, MLAs, senior bureaucrats and even Councillors continue to flout the directives by using red or blue beacon lights atop their official vehicles. Not only this, even the chairmen and members of various boards and corporations continue the use of official vehicles with beacon lights, staff and other expenses costing the exchequer crores every year.

Insiders informed that the Delhi Government has issued no clear directions for implementing these austerity measures and ethics in public life. The misuse of official vehicles by the Ministers and their staff continues in a blatant manner. No directions have been issued till date asking the concerned departments, officers or Ministers to get the ISD/STD facility discontinued at their residences nor the State Government has fixed any limit on their telephone bills till date. "These directions are issued from time to time by the party head. But these are rarely followed as it is practically not possible to implement such things as many of the appointments and facilities are motivated by political compulsions rather than administrative necessity," a senior political leader remarked.

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