Kejriwal transfers 800 DJB officials in a single day. Approves introduction of biometric system of attendance in secretariat and government offices for effective functioning.
The start of the week saw Delhi chief minister going tough on government officials. He has decided to introduce biometric system of attendance in the secretariat for more effective functioning. Late at night on Monday, he transferred around 800 Delhi Jal Board officials too, marking is as the most massive reshuffle in the history.
Reportedly, Kejriwal had issued specific directions to revamp the service delivery mechanism of the DJB. This was a decision made by him to improve the service delivery mechanism of the DJB.
The decision comes two weeks after DJB CEO Debashree Mukherjee was shifted on December 28 soon after Kejriwal was sworn in as chief minister and assumed position of chairman of Jal Board. He has transferred all the officials who had completed three years of service in a particular area.
Interestingly, the transfer orders were issued on the same day when three officials of the water distribution utility were suspended after a sting operation by a TV channel purportedly showed them taking bribe. However, senior officials claimed the aim of the transfers was to only improve efficiency.
The Aam Aadmi Party had promised equitable distribution of water in its manifesto. Kejriwal already has his eyes on the tanker mafia in the city which he has resolved to take action against.
The current average demand for potable water in Delhi is around 1,100 mgd (million gallons per day) and Delhi Jal Board supplies around 800 mgd water ater treating raw water in its treatment plants. The demand is projected to touch around 1,400 mgd by the end of the 12th Five-Year Plan in 2017. Delhi relies heavily on neighbouring states Haryana and Uttar Pradesh for the supply of raw water.
Meanwhile, the AAP government has also decided to introduce biometric attendance system in the secretariat and all government offices in the capital to ensure “effective functioning”. According to government officials, administrative reforms minister Somnath Bharti proposed the move to Kejriwal in a meeting who agreed to it.
“The decision on biometric attendance system was taken in a meeting in which Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was also present. To make the government functioning more effective, Bharti has proposed this. It will be implemented in a day or two. There was no such system during Congress rule,” an official reportedly told IANS.
Bharti has issued directions to all the concerned departments regarding the measure.
With CAG already forming six units to audit power companies in Delhi and Kejriwal tightening the noose on government official, it can be called a good start of the week for the AAP government. It will be interesting to see how the week fares till the end.
-with inputs from agencies
