DMs seek explanation from MCDs over lack of cleanliness

The district magistrates have issued 178 conditional orders, seeking explanation from civic officials concerned and warned of legal action against them. The move comes days before the government is scheduled to convene a two-day special session of the Assembly starting June 9 to discuss the working of the three municipal corporations with respect to sanitation.

According to the government, the conditional orders have been issued to officials of three MCDs under Section 133 of the CrPC. The rule empowers DM, SDM and Executive Magistrate to issue such an order on the basis of a complaint for removal of nuisance from a public place that may be injurious to the health or physical comfort of residents.

A senior government official claimed that the provision also makes it clear that in case a DM wishes to invoke this Section to ensure public health, then it cannot be challenged even in courts.

“Following directions from Home and PWD minister Satyendar Jain, the DMs of the respective districts have issued 178 conditional orders under Section 133 of the CrPC to the concerned officials of the three MCDs over unsatisfactory cleanliness and hygienic conditions in areas under their jurisdiction, particularly dhalaos,” said a senior government official.

North-West district has issued 32 conditional orders to officials of the civic body area over poor cleanliness, while 26 were issued by the North district. Besides, the East and the North-East districts have issued 32 and 15 such orders, respectively. About 15 and 14 conditional orders have been given by the South and South-West districts, respectively.

“With these orders, it is clear that the officials concerned of the three MCDs will have to provide reasonable explanation over poor hygiene in areas under their jurisdiction, failing which legal action will be initiated,” the official said, adding that the lack of cleanliness around dhalaos would not 

be tolerated.

Three days ago, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had accused the BJP-controlled civic bodies of turning the city into a “garbage bin”.