NEW DELHI: Former Delhi chief minister Atishi defended government officials on Friday, countering PWD minister Parvesh Verma‘s allegations that officials had become “thick-skinned” over the past ten years, saying that “these are the same officers who have worked in adverse circumstances.”
Addressing a press conference Atishi said: “PWD Minister of Delhi Government, Parvesh Verma, is saying wrong things about the officers of Delhi Government… But these are the same officers who have worked in Delhi even in adverse circumstances in the last 10 years.”
“What has changed in just one month? These are the same officers who built the Signature Bridge and transformed Delhi’s government schools. The BJP is abusing them because the AAP never asked for any commission. Officers have told us that BJP ministers are demanding a 10-per cent cut on all projects and those who refuse are being threatened with suspension, despite the fact that no Delhi minister has the power to do so, only the LG has the power to do that,” she added.
AAP national general secretary (organisation) Sandeep Pathak also criticised the BJP, alleging that the party is using officers as scapegoats to mask its own failures.
“Earlier, the BJP was blocking officers from working just to target the AAP. Now, it is blaming them. The real question is, why did Delhiites not get Rs 2,500 each and free gas cylinders on Holi, as promised by Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi?” he questioned.
These remarks came in response to Verma’s decision to suspend PWD executive engineer Ramashish Singh over inadequate drain desilting near Akshardham.
Earlier in the day, during a field visit, Verma criticised officials stating, “All officers have become thick-skinned in the last 10 years. We are making them sweat in the field. We are also sweating in the field and they will also sweat now, burn their fat and do the job. They are paid salaries from the public fund, and they have to do work for the people.”
“The entire system in Delhi was on the verge of collapse. But the BJP government has now hit the streets, and the ministers are carrying out field visits for hours. Stern instructions have also been issued to the officials, and any slackness will not be tolerated,” he added.
Verma also discussed plans to improve Yamuna water quality. He said, “I have spoken to the chief ministers of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh for treating industrial waste water in the flowing into the Yamuna from drains there.”
The minister’s statement came a day after Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta wrote to Chief Secretary Dharmendra, accusing Delhi government officials of ignoring letters, phone calls, and messages from MLAs.
