Don’t accompany legislators: civic body

NEW DELHI: In yet another tiff between the North Delhi Municipal Corporation and the Delhi government, the civic authority has ordered municipal officials not to

NEW DELHI: In yet another tiff between the North Delhi Municipal Corporation and the Delhi government, the civic authority has ordered municipal officials not to accompany legislators and ministers on their official visits.

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The move, according to the municipal corporation, comes after Delhi minister Sandeep Kumar allegedly misbehaved with municipal officials who had accompanied him during his visit to Rohini.

A close aide of Kumar told HT that the minister did not want to comment on the issue.

North Delhi mayor Sanjeev Nayyar said the municipal corporation has ordered an inquiry into the matter. Officials have been ordered to file an FIR if the inquiry is able to establish the charges.

“We have issued instructions to record the statements of the officials who were misbehaved with and based on that, a decision will be taken to file an FIR,” said Nayyar.

Nayyar said any legislator or minister must seek permission from the Mayor and the municipal commissioner if they want any corporation official to accompany them.

“First, it is not a legislator’s mandate to summon or order the municipal officials directly and secondly, they can’ t misbehave with our officials. If they (legislators) want the municipal officials to accompany them, they must first seek written permission from us,” said Nayyar.

The South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) had passed a similar order in April, asking officials not to attend district meetings of MLAs and accompany them during visits.

Each legislator’s area is divided into four wards under four municipal councillors. The development work overlaps, which includes relaying of interior roads, upkeep of parks, maintenance of community centres and sanitation.

“None of the officials of the Delhi government or departments concerned accompany us on our official visits despite being provided advance information, then why should the Delhi government legislators be given any special treatment?” said Mukesh Goel, leader of opposition, North MCD.

Goel demanded police action against Kumar for misbehaving with the municipal officials.