Bureaucratic scrimmage marks preparations in Uttaranchal

It started when the bureaucracy in the parent state decided to appoint R.S. Tolia, Director of UP Academy of Administration at Nainital to head the team to make preparations for the new capital as well the high-profile swearing-in ceremony of the new government. In the process, Brij Mohan Vohra, Divisional Commissioner of Garhwal was divested of all such responsibilities, which included making purchases, among other things.

Within 24 hours, however, the orders were modified and the Divisional Commissioner was back in the saddle, heading the important purchase committee. Tolia, who had already arrived here, was instead given charge of supervising arrangements for the swearing-in ceremony and taking care of VIPs scheduled to attend the function on November 9.

So now, there are two senior officers at the helm of affairs, and there is little love lost between them. Both officials are holding different press briefings every day to apprise the media about the preparations. Consequently, district administration officials who have been working overtime, find themselves in the piquant situation of serving two masters.

To make bureaucrats and politicians comfortable in the provisional capital of Uttaranchal, the district administration is going all out to provide them with top-class facilities: a fleet of new cars, air-conditioners and air-coolers awaits them. Besides, the Central Government has given Rs 50 crore for the creation of basic infrastructure to house the new government.

The police has already taken control of the historic parade ground, the venue of the swearing-in ceremony of the new government. Renovation work at selected buildings which will house the Assembly, the Raj Bhavan, residences of the Chief Minister and his Cabinet colleagues, and other government buildings is also in full swing. To add to the district officials’ woes, the occupants of the government houses and even offices have shown stiff opposition to move out.

The residents of Yamuna colony, a government colony where some houses were chosen to become ministerial residences, had even gone to the Allahabad High Court against their eviction but their plea has reportedly been turned down by the court.

Similarly, the administration had to face trouble when a women officer allegedly refused to vacate her office. It look a lot of effort and persuasion to make her change her mind, sources say.