Dilli Ka Babu: Babu versus babu

The ongoing spat between Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and lieutenant-governor Najeeb Jung has left the bureaucracy divided and turning on each other. Now, a senior babu has complained to Delhi government’s ACB against Mr Kejriwal’s secretary Rajender Kumar, accusing him of corruption. Ashish Joshi, who had a public spat with Delhi Dialogue Commission vice-chief Ashish Khaitan, has sent his complaint to ACB chief M.K. Meena and sought a probe against Mr Kumar.

Incidentally Mr Meena’s appointment was announced by Mr Jung against Mr Kejriwal’s wishes. Mr Meena has reportedly assured Mr Joshi that the complaint against the CM’s secretary will be examined and a notice will be issued to Mr Kumar. Though Mr Joshi is now working with the Union IT ministry, many expect Mr Kejriwal to see this as part of the attempt of what he terms is the Centre’s vilification campaign against him.

Overdue makeover

Modi sarkar’s promise of achche din also promises modern swanky government offices in the national capital. The clichéd image of a sarkari daftar is of an unimposing old building with dirty and musty rooms etc. Now that is proposed to be changed.

True some of the latter additions to the establishment are quite modern — all shining steel and shimmering glass. The ministry of external affairs’ building on Janpath named Jawaharlal Nehru Bhavan is a welcome sight, but there aren’t too many such edifices to state power. According to personnel secretary Sanjay Kothari, all government offices that include a public interface will get a makeover before other building housing ministries and key departments. Modi sarkar envisions its babus working in swanky, modern and clean office spaces, hopefully more efficiently and effectively. We’re all for this idea — the sooner the better!