*CM Kejriwal's big decision: CAG to audit DJB for 15 years, will separate facts from fiction
*We have ordered 15-year audit of DJB; After audit, allegations of opposition will be proven wrong - CM Arvind Kejriwal
*If there's no accountability in bureaucratic governance, running government will become impossible - CM Arvind Kejriwal
*Funds not being released to DJB, causing water and sewer problems in Delhi - Arvind Kejriwal
*CM Arvind Kejriwal has ordered special audit of DJB by CAG to bring transparency and all facts forward - Atishi
*From 2008 till now, special CAG audit is to be conducted for DJB, in accordance with DJB Act & CAG Act - Atishi
*We'll sit with CAG to determine entire audit process and urge for audit to be completed as soon as possible - Atishi
*If any corruption or irregularities found, Delhi government will take strictest possible action against perpetrators - Atishi
*If corruption not proven in CAG audit, truth of opposition's allegations will also be presented before Delhiites - Atishi
*Kejriwal government adheres to zero-tolerance policy against corruption; Even if opposition's allegations are baseless, we conducting this audit to ensure transparency - Atishi
NEW DELHI: 6th December, 2023-CM Shri Arvind Kejriwal today commissioned a special audit of the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), auditing the last 15 years of the DJB's work. The objective is to bring transparency to DJB's functioning. Additionally, the truth behind allegations of misuse of government funds on DJB, raised by the opposition, will be revealed to the Delhiites. In this regard, CM Shri Arvind Kejriwal stated that an order has been issued for a 15-year audit of the DJB. He mentioned that after the CAG's audit, these allegations would be proven wrong. The Chief Minister also mentioned that if there's no accountability in bureaucratic governance, running the government will become impossible. Funds are not being released to DJB, raising the possibility of water and sewer problems in Delhi due to this.
In light of the recent claims by opposition parties regarding irregularities in the Delhi Jal Board, CM Arvind Kejriwal has taken a big decision and ordered a special audit of the Board by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG). The Delhi Jal Board will be scrutinized during this audit for the past 15 years. While addressing a press conference today, Water Minister Atishi stated that the CM Arvind Kejriwal-led government in Delhi has zero tolerance for corruption. In the past 8 years, it has never been involved in any corruption and will not engage in one in the future either. This audit is being conducted to ensure transparency, and in case any person is found involved in corruption, strict action will be taken against them by the government itself.
Addressing the media, CM Shri Arvind Kejriwal said, “We have ordered CAG Audit of the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) in the last 15 years. The CAG is the most prominent institution in the country for the same. The CAG Audit will separate all facts from fiction. If someone has played any part in any wrongdoing, then strictest possible action will be taken against them; otherwise, this will put an end to the baseless allegations made.”
The Delhi Chief Minister remarked on the halt in funds for the DJB, stating that if bureaucratic governance is not accountable towards the elected government, running the government will become impossible. Currently, funds are not being released to the DJB. This situation is leading to a severe problem with water and sewer in Delhi. At present, Water Minister Atishi is assessing the situation in several areas. Sewer overflows have started occurring in many places. There are also maintenance issues that need to be addressed. The DJB is not receiving the second instalment of the Grant-in-Aid, which is causing all these problems.
Meanwhile, Delhi's Water Minister and DJB Chairperson Atishi held a detailed press conference at the Delhi Secretariat regarding this matter. She stated that the government led by CM Shri Arvind Kejriwal in Delhi maintains zero tolerance towards corruption. The Delhi government has not engaged in corruption of even a single penny in the last 8 years. However, with opposition repeatedly raising questions about the DJB in the public domain, Delhi's CM Shri Arvind Kejriwal has ordered a special audit of the DJB for the past 15 years to ensure transparency, fight against corruption, and bring all facts to light.
She mentioned that under this, the DJB will undergo a special audit by the CAG from 2008 till date, complying with the Delhi Jal Board Act and the CAG Act. We will sit with the Chief Auditor to finalize the audit process and urge for its completion at the earliest. If any kind of corruption or irregularity has been committed by anyone, the Delhi government will take the strictest possible action against them.
Ms Atishi mentioned, “In the past few weeks, some opposition parties have been repeatedly raising the issue that there is financial irregularity and corruption in the DJB. Today, through the media, I want to remind all opposition parties and the people of Delhi that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) was born out of a movement against corruption. The AAP is the only party with a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption. We are the party that, in Delhi and Punjab's government, swiftly removed our ministers without an investigation, without an FIR, solely based on prima facie evidence. The AAP has never engaged in corruption, and it never will."
Water Minister Atishi said that yesterday, Delhi CM Shri Arvind Kejriwal decided that the DJB will undergo a special audit by the CAG from 2008 till date. This special audit will be conducted under the DJB Act and the CAG Act.
The Delhi Water Minister said that regarding this matter, we will finalize all the rules with the CAG, and we will urge the CAG to conduct this audit as soon as possible. If any kind of corruption or irregularity has been committed by anyone, the Delhi government will take strict action against them. And if no corruption is proven, this fact will also be presented to the people of Delhi.
In conclusion, Minister Atishi stated, “This order for the CAG audit was issued because the Kejriwal government is absolutely intolerant towards corruption. The government has zero tolerance towards corruption and will continue to have zero tolerance towards corruption. No matter how baseless the allegations may be, we are conducting this CAG audit to bring transparency."
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*PWD Minister Atishi inspects under-construction flyover in Anand Vihar, pulls up officials for delay in work
*PWD Minister gives ultimatum to complete flyover construction by April to officials or face action
*This flyover is a crucial project for making East Delhi traffic jam-free, any laxity in construction work will not be tolerated- PWD Minister Atishi
*PWD Minister directs officials to expedite construction with double speed by increasing manpower and number of machines and submit a weekly report
*Plan for better traffic management on the existing road stretch in use to avoid any inconvenience to the commuters- PWD Minister Atishi
*PWD officials must work towards making their planning, monitoring and evaluation system more efficient to avoid delays in any other projects
*This six-lane flyover between Anand Vihar and Apsara Border will decrease the traffic load at Anand Vihar Transport Hub
*Post construction of the flyover, there stretch will be traffic signal-free from Anand Vihar to Seemapuri
NEW DELHI--- 6TH DECEMBER, 2023-PWD Minister Atishi, on Wednesday morning, inspected the under-construction flyover at Anand Vihar. Expressing dissatisfaction with the delay in the construction work, she pulled up the officials and issued an ultimatum to them to complete the project by April; otherwise, the concerned officers should be prepared for action against them. She said that this flyover is a crucial project in making East Delhi traffic congestion-free. Therefore, any delay in its construction will not be tolerated. She directed officials to expedite the remaining work by doubling the manpower and machines involved. Additionally, she instructed them to submit progress reports every week.
During the inspection, Atishi said, “Kejriwal government will not tolerate any delay in important projects like this. The construction of the flyover is lagging behind the scheduled time, causing daily traffic jams affecting thousands of vehicles, leading to inconvenience for the commuters.”
While instructing the officials, she emphasized that delays in the construction of the flyover will be tolerated. Therefore, every necessary step should be taken to complete the work on the new set timeline. If needed, double the manpower and machines, and work day and night. In any case, the flyover must be dedicated to the public by April.
While cautioning the officials of the consequences of delay in work, the PWD Minister stated that if the construction of the flyover is not completed by April, officers should be prepared for action against them. “PWD officials must work towards making their planning, monitoring and evaluation system more efficient to avoid delays in any other projects,” she said.
Additionally, while directing the officials, she mentioned that better traffic management with proper planning should be implemented on this road stretch to avoid any inconvenience to the commuters.
*Benefits of the new 6-lane flyover being constructed in Anand Vihar
Under this project, a flyover approximately 1440 meters long and six lanes wide is being constructed on Road Number 56 between Anand Vihar ROB and Apsara Border ROB. After its completion, people will be relieved from the problem of traffic jams at the red light at Ramprastha Colony, Vivek Vihar, and Shreshth Vihar. Approximately 1.48 lakh vehicles are expected to pass through this flyover daily, providing them with significant convenience in commuting. During the construction of this flyover, various tasks such as ramps, footpaths, signage, street lights, drainage, horticulture, and others will also be undertaken.
*Features of upcoming flyover between Anand Vihar and Apsara Border
-> Construction of a 6-lane flyover
-> Construction of 2 up-down ramps to provide direct connectivity to people in surrounding areas from the flyover
-> Construction of a cycle lane and a multi-utility zone along with the flyover
-> Users of the flyover will benefit from the elimination of two traffic signals.
It is estimated that approximately 1.48 lakh vehicles will pass through this flyover daily. With each trip, vehicle drivers will save around 11.07 minutes. Additionally, there will be a daily savings of 42,700 man-hours. The emission of carbon dioxide will be reduced by 1.50 lakh tonnes. There will be an annual savings of 16.57 lakh liters of fuel, resulting in a yearly cost savings of 144.78 crore rupees for the public.
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