New Delhi: Former Union Minister and former BJP National President Vijay Goel expressed deep anguish over the deaths of students in the incident at a PG hostel in Satyam Niketan, holding the negligence of the concerned officials and administrative lapses responsible for the tragedy.
Goel said that Delhi Chief Minister Smt. Rekha Gupta has taken immediate and effective action in the matter by suspending five officials. He welcomed the action and said that it should send a clear message that officials who fail to discharge their duties responsibly will be held accountable.
Goel said that only a few days ago, he had cautioned through a post on social media that officials of the MCD and the Delhi Government were not functioning as effectively as expected. He said that some people may have felt at the time that the issue was being raised for political reasons, but in reality, his comments reflected his genuine anguish and concern. During his involvement in various social and public-interest initiatives, he said, he had personally encountered several issues relating to the functioning of officials, which prompted him to raise the concern.
Goel said that when MPs, MLAs and other public representatives are repeatedly forced to take to the streets and urge officials to perform their duties. It indicates that there is a serious systemic problem and that officials are not discharging their responsibilities effectively.
Goel said that the problems confronting the Municipal Corporation of Delhi are not new. Over the past nearly two decades, these issues have assumed serious proportions. During this period, different political parties have been in power and the political leadership of the municipal corporation has also changed. Therefore, instead of politicising the issue, the focus should be on finding ways to improve the functioning of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi.
He said that corruption, inefficiency and lack of accountability have been allowed to become entrenched in the system over the years. Merely taking action after an unfortunate incident is not enough; what is required is comprehensive reform of the entire system.
Shri Goel said that he has met the Municipal Commissioner, Mayor and other senior officials of the MCD on several occasions and has repeatedly brought these issues to their attention.
Vijay Goel further stated that a large number of unauthorised constructions are currently taking place in Chandni Chowk. In several locations, constructions of up to six floors are reportedly being carried out. He said that a list of such unauthorised constructions would soon be made public so that accountability can be fixed on the concerned departments and officials.
Vijay Goel also said that the Mayor and Municipal Commissioner have assured him that concrete action would be taken against unauthorised constructions. He expressed hope that these assurances would soon translate into action on the ground.
Goel said that unless the entire administrative machinery is made accountable and proactive, even the Mayor and Municipal Commissioner may find themselves helpless in several matters. There is therefore an urgent need to establish clear responsibility, ensure regular monitoring of officials, and take strict action, without pressure or favour, wherever negligence or corruption is found.
Vijay Goel further added that to prevent the recurrence of tragedies such as the Satyam Niketan incident, it is not enough merely to take action against those found responsible after an incident. What is needed is a system in which accountability is built into the administrative process and there is virtually no scope for negligence.
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