CEO’s powers on hold, Noida policy decisions in limbo

Policy-related decisions are stuck after the Allahabad high court seized the powers of CEO Rama Raman last month

Policy-related decisions of the Noida authority have been stuck after the Allahabad high court seized the powers of Rama Raman, chief executive officer (CEO) of the authority, last month. Following the high court’s move, Raman cannot take any decisions in the authority and cannot be present at the authority office.

The powers of the Noida authority chairman and CEO Rama Raman were seized by the Allahabad high court. (HT File Photo)

Officials at the Noida authority said that works related to various old and new projects will be expedited only if the high court releases his powers.

The court had seized Raman’s powers on July 1 in response to a petition by Noida resident Jitendra Kumar Goyal who had questioned how Raman could be given the charge of both CEO of Noida authority and chairman of Noida, Greater Noida and Yamuna Expressway authorities. The next hearing in the case is scheduled for August 10.

Following high court orders, the UP government on July 19 appointed Pravir Kumar as chairman of the three authorities, removing Raman. However, he is technically still the CEO of the Noida authority, despite his powers being curbed.

According to authority officials, decisions such as budget allocation for many projects are stuck due to the ongoing case in high court.

“Many files related to budget allocation and financial policies are pending. These will be cleared only after the high court releases the CEO’s powers,” said Manmohan Mishra, financial controller, Noida authority.

Although Pramod Kumar Aggarwal, an additional chief executive officer (ACEO) of the Noida authority, was appointed as acting CEO, he cannot take a call on policy and other important issues. Moreover, he too went on a five-day leave on Monday. Another ACEO, Arun Vir Singh, is the acting CEO at present.

“A CEO is empowered to take major decisions, including those related to policies, but an acting CEO can only take decisions related to routine work,” said Singh.