New Delhi: Panic seems to have gripped the corridors of power in the Delhi government as Chief Minister-designate Arvind Kejriwal and his team gets set to take charge on Saturday. A sting operation by a TV channel recorded government files being destroyed in Delhi government offices, allegedly to cover the tracks of all wrongdoing during the last 15 years. Jittery officials were shown desperately seeking transfers.
On the other hand, reacting to the AAP’s emergence and formation of government, India Inc., cautiously expressed doubts about whether Kejriwal would be able to fulfill his promises.
“It seems files are being destroyed,” Kejriwal said, adding that he would “look into the issue after assuming office”. DPCC chief Arvind Singh Lovely, who refuted allegations of files and official data being destroyed, however, added: “How would I know of any scam? If someone is doing wrong, they should be punished. An inquiry should take place but the onus is on the chief secretary, not on me.” Some of the file destruction was allegedly taking place at Lovely’s office.
Kejriwal issued a stern warning, saying that the chief secretary “would be answerable if any file is found missing”.
With Kejriwal and his team set to take over, there were also reports of some bureaucrats running from pillar to post to seek transfers.
The AAP convener intends to open all corruption cases and also crack the whip on private schools allegedly charging high admission fees. Sources disclosed that Mr Kejriwal would also go in for auditing corporate houses providing electricity to Delhi and the audit reports would be made public.
Kejriwal will set 48-hour deadline for ‘lazy’ babus
The AAP government in Delhi will likely set a 48-hour deadline for officials to get their act together or face music.
Sources said that the Arvind Kejriwal’s Cabinet and legislators would give two days to all officers to start work in an efficient manner in their respective departments. “If the officers fail to deliver, we will act against them,” a senior AAP leader said. “No corrupt officer will be spared. And inefficient officers will also be punished.”
It is learnt that after the oath-taking ceremony, Kejriwal and AAP legislators would head straight to the Delhi government secretariat to start work.
Next: Biz captains doubt AAP
Biz captains doubt AAP
Corporate leaders have caste their doubts over promises made by the AAP during elections and suggested that the greenhorn political outfit will soon know the reality.
Former Nasscom president Kiran Karnik said that the AAP, once in power, would soon realise that all promises “will not be doable”. He said: “If you cut power prices by half, give free water and subsidise CNG, then probably you will have to maybe increase property taxes or something like that. Political parties have been making promises of giving free power, but then we have seen that there has been no power at all. But that is something which is not possible in Delhi.”
Swati Piramal, vice-chairperson, Piramal Enterprises, echoed the views and asked: “How can you give free power and free water? Someone has to pay for it. Do you know how much it costs to filter water or set up a power plant?”
