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Journalism of Courage
North Delhi mayor Ravinder Gupta recently wrote to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, requesting him to send “honest officers” to the corporation. Following this, Leader of the Opposition Mukesh Goel told the standing committee meeting that the mayor’s letter was an acceptance of the deep-rooted corruption in the civic bodies of Delhi. Defending the mayor’s letter to the CM, BJP councillors present in the meeting claimed that the letter was, in fact, a reply to Kejriwal’s repeated assertion that the civic bodies are corrupt. “The government is always talking about how the MCD is corrupt. Therefore, we decided that it would be best if the government itself appointed honest officers to the corporation,” councillor Yogendra Chandolia said.
Dose of laughter
Dirty tracks
After being rapped by the National Green Tribunal for failing to keep railway tracks in Delhi clean, the railways told the NGT that they had “honest officials” who were “continuously working to sort out the problem”. The bench was, however, far from satisfied with the explanation. It said, “If you were so honest, nothing in the world would have deterred you from taking measures. You have the Tribunal’s order, the Railway Protection Force and workers at your disposal.”
No challans
The National Lok Adalat organised in Delhi courts for settling traffic fines turned out to be a lacklustre affair because of heavy rain. With roads outside the Saket court overflowing with water, the few who did come had to park their vehicles outside the court in areas designated as ‘no parking’. The irony was not lost on a traffic police officer. “People have come here to settle their challans, but today there’s no point fining them for parking in a ‘no-parking zone’. Where will they park, all the roads are blocked and the drains are overflowing?” he said.
Lying low
With every key proposal being vetted by the Law department, new Law Minister Kapil Mishra has decided to keep a low profile vis-a-vis his ‘prime’ department. When asked about his department, the minister, to the amusement of many, said, “I am tourism minister, ask me all about tourism and art and culture. I do not want to be known as the law minister in Delhi.” Not just the minister, his officials too want to lie low when it comes to the media. “We don’t propose anything unlike other departments. Thus, we have nothing to tell,” an official said.
Taking a dig
Following a report in The Indian Express about the indictment of a senior IAS officer in a case of sexual harassment, the Delhi government has decided to call for the report holding him guilty. But when questioned about the officer’s appointment as special commissioner, food and supply, in the Delhi government, a minister said, “Aren’t appointments the prerogative of the L-G?”
Mistaken identity
Ambedkar University’s first day of admission proved to be confusing for a certain student from Haryana. The boy had almost taken admission when he realised his mistake. He had come to the university thinking it wasB R Ambedkar College under Delhi University!
Surprising silence
The Delhi government and the Centre seem to be on a collision course when it comes to the appointment of bureaucrats in the capital, but the nomination of BJP leader Karan Singh Tanwar as the NDMC vice-chairperson seemed to have evoked lukewarm criticism from the AAP.
Known for attacking the Centre on every issue, AAP leaders are surprisingly silent on the issue. AAP’s Delhi Cantt MLA Surinder Singh, who is also an NDMC member, did raise concerns on Tanwar. Asked if he would raise the issue with the Centre, Singh said, “That is the prerogative of the chief minister. If he plans to take up the issue, I will support him.”
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