‘Time bound monitoring of projects, campaigns will soon be initiated’

The new chairman of standing committee in North Delhi Municipal Corporation Mohan Bhardwaj is overwhelmed as his term in office will start with the BJP rule in New Delhi. In an interaction with Siddheshwar Shukla he said Modi led government will end step-motherly treatment of BJP ruled civic bodies in the hands of Congress governments both in Delhi and New Delhi. Here are the excerpts of the interview: 

BJP leaders in corporations have been complaining step-motherly treatment by Congress governments. How a BJP lead government will benefit the civic bodies and city?

Congress government in Delhi promised us grants but gave loans for development works. Around Rs 500 crore of North DMC are pending with Delhi government. We are responsible for sanitation in the city but departments of Delhi government kept on delaying payments which is huge burden on civic bodies. We had nowhere go but to take shelter of courts in extreme cases, now at favourable government in Centre under the leadership of Narendra Modi, would help a lot. The fund would not be a constraint for us for development and citizen centric services.

What are your priorities?

We are committed to make Delhi dengue free this year. We will soon launch a multi-pronged campaign to prevent mosquito breeding besides focus on health facilities. We are committed for transparency, good government and efficient services.

Narendra Modi strongly favours for computerisation and online services but online services of the corporations are not effective?

Some of the online services are working well like- tax payment, approval of map and online tenders etc. We will revamp the service and also hire computer savvy people to boost the services.

There is also talk within the BJP to merge the three corporations. Your take?

The trio-furcation of the MCD was a political decision of Congress party and done in hush hush manner. I am ready to work in either way- the matter is to be decided by senior leaders. But it’s true the trifurcation has increased the expenses manifold and delayed decision making as approval of all the three corporations is required for any policy decision.

What is your strategy to revamp the services of the North DMC?

A time bound monitoring of all the projects and campaigns will soon be initiated to deliver the results. We have clearly directed the officers to change their delaying tactics. As now we have government in center we would be able to rein in bureaucracy in better way.

The Lieutenant Governor of Delhi has again started sealing in the city. How will you fight this challenge?

The LG has promised us to stop sealing for time being and give time to affected persons. We will also request LG to extend temporary relief to the owners of the sealed premises if they provide an affidavit to shift their units.