Six months into President’s rule, Delhi fails to shine
20 Aug 2014 5:36 AM IST
On 15 August, as Delhi completed six months of President’s rule, the report card of the announced projects presents a rather dismal picture, thanks to a bureaucratic logjam. Jung has announced around 25 projects amounting to around Rs 2,000 crore, but not a single project has been delivered.
Transportation: The union government has allotted Rs 3,702 crore to Delhi’s transport department. The DTC has been issuing tenders to get 1,380 new non-AC buses for the past two years but they have been unsuccessful because of the monopoly of two bidders—Tata and Ashok Leyland—and other technical issues.
Night shelters: The administration had planned to build seven more and even bought land for them. The L-G visited a few night shelters and directed Delhi Jal Board to ensure regular water supply to them. He had also directed Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board to review the availability of water and carry out an inspection drive. However, many night shelters still do not have water and power supply. Also, the shelters destroyed during a dust storm in May have not been repaired.
Unauthorised colonies: The L-G had set a deadline of March 2015 to regularize 902 unauthorised colonies. The Central government has also allotted Rs 711 crore to provide piped water supply to 50 unauthorised colonies and sewerage system to 90 such colonies. Though orders have been issued, no work has yet been started.
Hospitals: In April, Jung inspected work at two hospitals — Lok Nayak and Guru Teg Bahadur — and announced they be made model hospitals. Hospital projects worth Rs 940 crore are currently under execution, but little work has been done.
Women and children’s homes: On 28 May, Jung visited Asha Kiran Complex, which houses mentally challenged kids and women at Rohini. After inspection, he directed that vacancies in the health cadre and the teaching cadre be filled. He announced setting up three new homes for children too but to no avail.
Schools: The L-G found that there is lack of basic amenities like toilets and other facilities in government-run school apart from an acute shortage of teachers. There is shortage of around 17,000 teachers and the schools are running with the help of contract teachers. The MCD announced recruitment of 2,000 teachers, however, there are still vacancies for 15,000 teachers.
Helpline number: The exclusive helpline number 181 to handle calls of women in distress that was started after the December 2012 gangrape is facing several problems. Recently 181 crossed the 10 lakh phone call figure. Despite each employee spending 474 minutes of the 480 minutes in each eight-hour shift attending calls, the helpline unit is under-staffed and able to attend just 70 per cent of the total calls.
Pollution: On 13 May, the L-G constituted a committee to check pollution. He directed Delhi Pollution Control Committee to serve notices to polluting units and asked bureaucrats to take action against inspectors who don’t act on committee orders.
DDA: In March, the L-G ordered restructuring of the Delhi Development Authority, including the working of its departments. The LG had instructed DDA to finish this exercise in four months. However, that has still not been done.
Yamuna Action Plan: On June 23, the L-G reviewed a comprehensive plan to develop the Yamuna and directed the Delhi Jal Board and all stake holders to spare no efforts for development of the river. He has decided to take up a comprehensive development of the river. A critical part of the initiative was to ensure abatement of pollution in the river. But so far, nothing concrete has taken place except for an announcement to start water treatment plants at Pappankalan, Nilothi, Yamuna Vihar and Delhi Gate in next few months.
Transportation: The union government has allotted Rs 3,702 crore to Delhi’s transport department. The DTC has been issuing tenders to get 1,380 new non-AC buses for the past two years but they have been unsuccessful because of the monopoly of two bidders—Tata and Ashok Leyland—and other technical issues.
Night shelters: The administration had planned to build seven more and even bought land for them. The L-G visited a few night shelters and directed Delhi Jal Board to ensure regular water supply to them. He had also directed Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board to review the availability of water and carry out an inspection drive. However, many night shelters still do not have water and power supply. Also, the shelters destroyed during a dust storm in May have not been repaired.
Unauthorised colonies: The L-G had set a deadline of March 2015 to regularize 902 unauthorised colonies. The Central government has also allotted Rs 711 crore to provide piped water supply to 50 unauthorised colonies and sewerage system to 90 such colonies. Though orders have been issued, no work has yet been started.
Hospitals: In April, Jung inspected work at two hospitals — Lok Nayak and Guru Teg Bahadur — and announced they be made model hospitals. Hospital projects worth Rs 940 crore are currently under execution, but little work has been done.
Women and children’s homes: On 28 May, Jung visited Asha Kiran Complex, which houses mentally challenged kids and women at Rohini. After inspection, he directed that vacancies in the health cadre and the teaching cadre be filled. He announced setting up three new homes for children too but to no avail.
Schools: The L-G found that there is lack of basic amenities like toilets and other facilities in government-run school apart from an acute shortage of teachers. There is shortage of around 17,000 teachers and the schools are running with the help of contract teachers. The MCD announced recruitment of 2,000 teachers, however, there are still vacancies for 15,000 teachers.
Helpline number: The exclusive helpline number 181 to handle calls of women in distress that was started after the December 2012 gangrape is facing several problems. Recently 181 crossed the 10 lakh phone call figure. Despite each employee spending 474 minutes of the 480 minutes in each eight-hour shift attending calls, the helpline unit is under-staffed and able to attend just 70 per cent of the total calls.
Pollution: On 13 May, the L-G constituted a committee to check pollution. He directed Delhi Pollution Control Committee to serve notices to polluting units and asked bureaucrats to take action against inspectors who don’t act on committee orders.
DDA: In March, the L-G ordered restructuring of the Delhi Development Authority, including the working of its departments. The LG had instructed DDA to finish this exercise in four months. However, that has still not been done.
Yamuna Action Plan: On June 23, the L-G reviewed a comprehensive plan to develop the Yamuna and directed the Delhi Jal Board and all stake holders to spare no efforts for development of the river. He has decided to take up a comprehensive development of the river. A critical part of the initiative was to ensure abatement of pollution in the river. But so far, nothing concrete has taken place except for an announcement to start water treatment plants at Pappankalan, Nilothi, Yamuna Vihar and Delhi Gate in next few months.
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