Leaders’ Jal Nigam joyride continues

A week after Urban Development Minister and Jal Nigam Chairman Mohd Azam Khan issued directives to the Secretariat Administration Department...

A week after Urban Development Minister and Jal Nigam Chairman Mohd Azam Khan issued directives to the Secretariat Administration Department (SAD) that 16 vehicles of the Jal Nigam attached to politicians and government officials not authorised to use them be returned, only four have done so.

Khan acted after it was found that one-third of the Jal Nigam’s 55 vehicles, including Maruti Gypsys, Ambassadors and jeeps, were attached to people not associated with the organisation, and that from April to July, these had run up a bill of Rs 12.20 lakh. Not only the petrol tab but even the salaries of the drivers of these vehicles were being paid by the Jal Nigam.

The Indian Express had carried a report this week detailing the drain on the Nigam’s finances, even as it had failed to pay its employees pay for the past four months. The report had also stated that only four of the 16 vehicles had been returned to the shack despite Khan’s order.

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The situation remains the same, with politicians—including Leader of the Opposition Lalji Tandon—appearing to be in no hurry to return their vehicles. The four who have complied with the SAD’s directives are Khan himself, former Jal Nigam chairman Bhola Nath Tewari, a deputy secretary in the Urban Development Department and a deputy secretary in the Rural Development Department.

Apart from former Urban Development minister and BJP leader Tandon, a retired chief engineer of the corporation, private secretaries to the Urban Development secretary and a deputy secretary in the Rural Development Department continue to avail of the vehicles.

Jal Nigam Managing Director Atul Krishna said: ‘‘An appraisal would be done next week and a reminder sent to the defaulters.’’