How difficult is it for public to have access to Chandigarh DC? Almost impossible

On day one, January 23 (Tuesday), The Indian Express visited the DC office in the public hours of 12 noon to 1 pm but the DC wasn’t there.

When asked about the DC’s whereabouts, the staff responded, “He hasn’t come to the office.” When asked about a potential meeting time, the attendant outside stated, “Kal aana…budhwar ko milenge.”

On day two, January 24 (Wednesday), The Indian Express enquired at 11:40 am about the Deputy Commissioner’s presence. The staff replied, “Abhi aaye nahi hai.” When questioned about his expected arrival, the response was: “Abhi koi pata nahi aate bhi hain ya nahi.” When reminded that the staff had assured a meeting today, the reply was, “Unko kya pata ki aayenge ya nahi…aise to hum b kehte hain aa jayenge.” They suggested inquiring again after half an hour.

Although the public meeting hours had commenced at 12 noon, the DC was still missing. After half an hour, the reporter was told, “Aaj nahi aayenge.”

On day three, January 25 (Thursday), The Indian Express again asked about the DC’s availability but he wasn’t there and the visit went in vain. Then came January 26 (Friday), the Republic day which was followed by the weekend.

Next week, The Indian Express again set out to access the Deputy Commissioner.

On January 29 (Monday), The Indian Express reached the office only to be told that the Deputy Commissioner was sitting in the office but “not meeting the public.”

When asked why, “The DC isn’t meeting anyone. Come on Wednesday”. When told that last Wednesday too, we were asked to come but he wasn’t there, the staff said, “Try this Wednesday.”

The DC was busy with the mayoral polls on January 30 (Tuesday).

On January 31 (Wednesday), The Indian Express attempted to reach the DC, but he was not there . The same situation persisted on February 1 (Thursday).

Subsequently, on February 2, The Indian Express made another attempt to meet the DC, but the staff said that “he was on leave.”

What posts the DC holds

A Deputy Commissioner in Chandigarh holds multiple posts with as many as nine departments involving heavy public interaction. He holds the charge of not just District Magistrate but also Commissioner, Excise and Taxation, Estate Officer, Labour Commissioner, Additional Chief Electoral officer, chairman, Wakf Board president ZSWB apart from DC Office.

From all issues such as being harassed in case of a bar licence to appeals in excise cases or handling appeal cases of senior citizens, from issues of estate to concerns regarding labour or holding courts, a DC has to manage it all.

What the DC has to say

The Deputy Commissioner was given all the dates when the Express tried reaching out to him but couldn’t.

He explained, “It depends on what time one tried meeting. I have multiple charges, attending numerous meetings daily at UT Secretariat.

Wednesdays are exclusive for public meetings and court work when I hold my court. On January 23, there was a High Court hearing in the mayor elections case, so I had to go to the High Court. January 24 (Wednesday) morning involved a full dress rehearsal for the Republic Day parade in Sector 17, and there was another hearing in the High Court on the mayor elections matter in the afternoon, necessitating my presence at the High Court. January 25 involved celebrating National Voters Day, with the Hon’ble Governor as the chief guest in the first half and multiple meetings in the Secretariat in the second half. January 26-28 was dedicated to Republic Day functions and the weekend. On January 29, I’ll send the detailed schedule. January 30 was consumed by mayor elections until 3 pm, followed by the visit of the Hon’ble Governor to the Secretariat for the weekly meeting. January 31, Wednesday, included two meetings at the Secretariat in the first half and court work (3-7 pm) in the evening. February 1 involved a couple of meetings in the Secretariat in the first half and site visits in the second half. On February 2, I was on leave to attend my cousin’s wedding.Since there are meetings at Secretariat and site visits due to nature of work, specific appointment slots are given on request after the office hours on weekends.”

When asked whether he had appeared in the court hearings, he said, “No. But I went to meet the counsel.”