The Hindu : New Delhi News : New Chief Secretary puts Delhi Government in action mode

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Aug 10, 2006

New Delhi

New Delhi

New Chief Secretary puts Delhi Government in action mode

Staff Reporter

Bureaucracy under pressure to show results and be accountable

NEW DELHI: The change of guard at the top level of bureaucracy is already showing a positive impact on the decision making process in the Sheila Dikshit Government. The new Chief Secretary, R. Narayanaswami, has put the Government once again in action mode putting pressure on the officialdom to show results and at the same time ensure accountability.

Suddenly things have started moving with developmental projects stalled for the past few months getting the green signal. The thrust is on creation of new infrastructure and sort out the ills plaguing the priority areas like public transport, power, water and road system in the Capital.

Making it clear that he means business, Mr. Narayanaswami has issued directions to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi Commissioner, Ashok Nigam, to direct the zonal officers concerned to make an on-the-spot assessment of the illegal and unauthorised constructions going on under the patronage of MCD officials and police in various zones of the Capital and demolish them without any delay.

Mr. Narayanaswami apparently enjoys good support of the Ministerial colleagues of the Sheila Dikshit Cabinet who appreciate the initiatives taken by him. Officials said the changed situation was all the more visible as the Chief Secretary has been holding a day-to-day review of the power situation in the Capital and also sending out information on what was being done to tackle the crisis.

On the mass public transport front, it is understood that the decisions on induction of new fleet of air-conditioned buses for local routes and ensuring a better feeder service for Metro Rail commuters in their respective areas has also got his due attention.

Similarly, the issues pertaining to preparation of city development plan for the Commonwealth Games 2010 and availing of funds under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) and appointment of the consultant for the same had been hanging fire for months together without taking any decision. Now everything is moving ahead fast and the city development plans are likely to be ready within the next few weeks for submission to the Ministry of Urban Development.

"The new Chief Secretary has changed the work culture in the Government departments. He does not take upon himself to do everything and for this he enjoys the confidence of Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit," a senior official remarked.

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