MLAs resent Food Supplies official's attitude

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, MARCH 7. Strong resentment prevails among elected representatives against the Commissioner, Food and Civil Supplies, Mr. Rakesh Bihari, for his ``indifferent attitude'' and creating obstacles in the smooth functioning of the Department. In fact, a virtual confrontation and exchanges were witnessed between an MLA and the official at Old Secretariat here today.

The frustration of the MLAs against the dominance of the bureaucrats was evident at a meeting in the Food and Supplies Minister, Dr. Yoganand Shastri's chamber at Old Secretariat. Tempers flared up with the Jehangirpuri MLA, Mr. Zile Singh Chauhan, accusing the Food and Supplies Commissioner and other officials of sabotaging various works and in turn damaging the image of the party. He was joined by the Patel Nagar MLA, Mr. Ramakant Goswami and Mr. Nasib Singh, who lashed out at the officials.

The Food and Supplies Commissioner, who has come under fire for his laid back approach, along with the Deputy Commissioner, Mr. N.K.Sharma and Additional Commissioner, Mr. S.K.Sarin, had turned up for a meeting at the Minister's chamber. While the discussions were on about the implementation of the new Antodaya scheme for people living below the poverty line (BPL) in the JJ clusters, a furious Mr. Chauhan, Mr. Singh and Mr. Goswami complained that the Food and Supplies Commissioner was creating obstacles in the conduct of various works and since he had taken over, he was staying all the vacancies of kerosene oil depots and other related matters. Not only this, they alleged the officials of the Food and Supplies Department were taking a bribe of Rs. 500 each for putting a stamp on the ration cards of the JJ clusters verifying that the concerned family fell under the BPL category.

Mr. Chauhan charged the bureaucracy with taking things for granted. The MLAs urged the Minister to take stern action against the corrupt officials. At this, Dr. Shastri intervened and reprimanded the officials for not looking into the requests of the MLAs. He said all efforts should be made to ensure that the poor did not suffer and those found guilty of corruption should be taken to task immediately.

But this did not cool down an agitated Mr. Chauhan who continued with his tirade against the officials, particularly, Mr. Behari. At this moment, the maverick Timarpur MLA, Mr. Jagdish Anand, who also happened to be present, remarked that corruption was prevailing at all levels in the Delhi Government and there was nobody to listen to the grievances. Shouting at the top of his voice, he alleged that the officials were indulging in corruption as they had patronage from the top.

However, an unrelenting Mr. Chauhan did not take part in the tongue lashing indulged in by Mr. Anand but went on with his tirade. He also lashed out at the Chief Secretary, Mr. P.S. Bhatnagar. He said these officials had the patronage of the Chief Secretary and that was why the administration had become a casualty. But insiders revealed that the Development Minister was also not taken into confidence before posting Mr. Behari as the Food and Supplies Commissioner and the posting was cleared at the Chief Minister's level. This is not the case of one Minister. In fact, all the Ministers are sore that they are rarely consulted in the posting or transfer of officials and then they have to face the wrath of the common man as well as the MLAs if things go wrong.

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