East Delhi Municipal Corporation EDMC) mayor Annapurna Mishra and commissioner of the civic body S S Yadav were at loggerheads on Tuesday on the issue of alleged irregularities in putting up of advertising unipoles.
Mishra rejected an inquiry report filed into allegations of coming up of unauthorised advertising unipoles – large frames put up for advertising purposes – in several areas that claimed that only six such structures were found while Yadav defended it.
The EDMC had ordered a probe last month into allegations that large number of advertising unipoles have come up in east Delhi area.
The mayor of the BJP-ruled civic body alleged that as per her inspection record, there were about 210 unauthorised unipoles in the EDMC area. ‘In my surprise inspection on 8 January, it was found that there were about 210 illegal unipoles. However, the report submitted to me says only six were found and dismantled.’
The Mayor said the number of unauthorised unipoles in EDMC areas was much more then the number quoted by the probe panel. She said the inquiry was conducted by officials whom she had recommended for suspension for alleged irregularities.
However, Yadav dismissed the allegations and said it was a case of ‘misinformation’ as the mayor did not have a complete list of authorised unipoles. He said Mishra had failed to furnish the proof of her allegations regarding unauthorised unipoles.
‘This is unfortunate and an attempt to mislead the public and the then additional commissioner JB Singh, who prepared the report, has tried to shield the officials of the advertising department,’ the Mayor told reporters.
She further alleged that her charges were investigated by five officials of the advertising department who she had recommended for suspension after the January inspection for failing to perform their duties.
‘If the same people investigate the charges made against them, how will the report be transparent. A different team should have been constituted for this task. I have written a letter to the Commissioner expressing my concern about these issues and if no proper action is taken, I will take the matter to the Lokayukta,’ Mishra said.
Yadav, however, denied that the investigation had been done by officers who were under scanner and said the figure of six unauthorised unipoles being found was indeed correct.
The commissioner said that despite requests to the Mayor to give proof for her allegations of 210 unauthorised unipoles, none had been submitted till date.
Reading out from the final report sent to the Mayor’s office, he quoted ‘When the Mayor was asked to give video or photo proof of the uauthorised unipole sites, she said the same were available with her and will be submitted the next day. However, till the date of submission of this report, such proof has not been received.’
‘As far as this report is concerned, I am completely satisfied,’ the Commissioner added.
Mishra rejected an inquiry report filed into allegations of coming up of unauthorised advertising unipoles – large frames put up for advertising purposes – in several areas that claimed that only six such structures were found while Yadav defended it.
The EDMC had ordered a probe last month into allegations that large number of advertising unipoles have come up in east Delhi area.
The mayor of the BJP-ruled civic body alleged that as per her inspection record, there were about 210 unauthorised unipoles in the EDMC area. ‘In my surprise inspection on 8 January, it was found that there were about 210 illegal unipoles. However, the report submitted to me says only six were found and dismantled.’
The Mayor said the number of unauthorised unipoles in EDMC areas was much more then the number quoted by the probe panel. She said the inquiry was conducted by officials whom she had recommended for suspension for alleged irregularities.
However, Yadav dismissed the allegations and said it was a case of ‘misinformation’ as the mayor did not have a complete list of authorised unipoles. He said Mishra had failed to furnish the proof of her allegations regarding unauthorised unipoles.
‘This is unfortunate and an attempt to mislead the public and the then additional commissioner JB Singh, who prepared the report, has tried to shield the officials of the advertising department,’ the Mayor told reporters.
She further alleged that her charges were investigated by five officials of the advertising department who she had recommended for suspension after the January inspection for failing to perform their duties.
‘If the same people investigate the charges made against them, how will the report be transparent. A different team should have been constituted for this task. I have written a letter to the Commissioner expressing my concern about these issues and if no proper action is taken, I will take the matter to the Lokayukta,’ Mishra said.
Yadav, however, denied that the investigation had been done by officers who were under scanner and said the figure of six unauthorised unipoles being found was indeed correct.
The commissioner said that despite requests to the Mayor to give proof for her allegations of 210 unauthorised unipoles, none had been submitted till date.
Reading out from the final report sent to the Mayor’s office, he quoted ‘When the Mayor was asked to give video or photo proof of the uauthorised unipole sites, she said the same were available with her and will be submitted the next day. However, till the date of submission of this report, such proof has not been received.’
‘As far as this report is concerned, I am completely satisfied,’ the Commissioner added.