The recently concluded legislative session was undeniably intense, with the opposition exerting significant pressure on the ruling party. However, beyond the contentious debates and the temporary shelving of a controversial bill, what concrete outcomes were achieved?
There were inquiries regarding the extravagant expenditure of 40 lakhs on laddos, the irrationality of purchasing 250 cameras for 250 crores, and essentially squandering money, Rs 16000 for each pothole that was fixed. When the details of these figures were missing, no explanations were given on the floor. It should be noted that at least three legislators raised concerns about a cycling association spending Rs 14 lakhs on a fictitious training camp. This issue, too, was left unaddressed.
So the inquiries were posed? What transpired thereafter, who authorised the procurement of these laddos, and what was the quantity acquired? Following the typical principle of selecting the ‘lowest bidder,’ the quantity acquired should have been substantial enough to cater to a significant number of individuals. The Chief Minister nonchalantly dismissed the matter by stating that the laddos were indeed purchased, and it was not a fabricated bill from the Congress era. Yet, questions remain regarding the specifics: how many were procured, who were the recipients, and for what purpose were they distributed? Is it within the purview of the Government to procure laddos? Moreover, if it is a known fact that false bills were issued during the congress administration, why has no action been taken to rectify this issue?
At the price of one crore rupees per camera, it might be assumed that these cameras are strategically positioned in outer space to comprehensively monitor every inch of our smart city, detecting unauthorised landfills, deforestation activities, and overseeing traffic flow. However, the reality is far from this ideal scenario. Reports indicate a concerning lack of accountability regarding the procurement of these cameras, with blame being shifted to lower-level officials. The extent of this delegation remains ambiguous, leaving questions unanswered regarding the individual who authorised and financed the purchase. Furthermore, the status of the installation and functionality of these cameras remains uncertain. A detailed examination of the camera’s specifications, including make and model, could shed light on whether they were acquired at a competitive market rate and the identity of the vendor. These critical inquiries could have easily been addressed during legislative sessions. Despite aspiring to transform into a smart city, our reluctance to address corruption with diligence and efficiency hinders our progress.
The torrential rain has undoubtedly been relentless, causing the roads that were excavated but left unfinished prior to the downpour to transform into potential death traps or sources of injury, particularly for motorcyclists who may inadvertently plunge into these submerged crevices. Conversely, there are thoroughfares that have crumbled even as the rainfall commenced, a clear indication of the glaringly poor quality. While it would be somewhat expected for all roads to succumb to the deluge, the disintegration of select roads, notably those recently resurfaced, underscores the inferior material or processes employed.
In response, while dismissing the Rs 16k/pothole as a mere computational oversight, the Chief Minister has declared that both Contractors and PWD engineers will be held accountable for substandard road engineering work, invoking the defect liability clause. To date, not a single instance has been reported of a contractor compensating either the State or the victim of an accident for shoddy work. PWD engineers, particularly the Junior Engineers responsible for inspecting the projects and issuing completion certificates, find themselves in a precarious position. Despite recognising the inferior quality of the work, they are compelled to turn a blind eye due to external pressures.
Remember the Police Inspector who admitted neglecting his duties due to directives from his superiors. For any substantial change to occur, accountability must be established at the highest levels. Once the Senior leadership faces consequences for subpar performance, they will be empowered to resist political influence and assertively decline unreasonable demands. It is unrealistic to expect lower-level staff to bear this burden. Since politicians do not physically endorse documents, they evade direct responsibility, yet they are notorious for exerting pressure on those who do. By holding the signatories liable, a transformative shift can take place. Presently, the lack of repercussions fosters a culture of compliance with the status quo.
Be it the fisheries department that fails to acknowledge the utilisation of LED lights, or the various concerned departments that remain oblivious to the blaring music at Anjuna, not a single official is held responsible. In contrast, the MLAs have granted themselves a salary increase without any corresponding rise in their level of accountability. From a mathematical standpoint, the Rs 19 crore burden on the exchequer translates to an average of 50 lakhs per MLA annually.
While the hike lacked accountability, the withdrawn bill also aimed to eradicate judicial scrutiny, a fundamental aspect of any democratic nation. The decision to retract the bill, despite the overwhelming brute majority, demonstrated the astuteness of the BJP Karyakatas/RSS. They recognised the prevailing public sentiment against the bill, understanding its potential adverse impact on genuine BJP grassroots workers rather than mere converts. An intriguing point to note is the reluctance of anyone to claim responsibility for the contentious clause that prohibited judicial scrutiny. The origin of this clause remains shrouded in mystery.
Talking about accountability, the Chief Minister explicitly emphasised that elected representatives and government officials are public servants who should bear this in mind and conduct themselves accordingly. He urged those public servants who fail to meet the standards to consider taking Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) and allow fresh talent to bring about change. We extend our best wishes to him in instilling this much-needed shift in attitude. On this optimistic note of anticipation, we embark on our 78th year of independence, eagerly anticipating a more robust and prosperous INDIA. Jai Hind.
(The author prefers to write rather than chat in a balcao)
