- MCD suspensions after Delhi building collapses are routine, lack accountability.
- Officials often reinstated; rarely face stringent, lasting disciplinary action.
- Deputation officials dominate MCD, hindering internal accountability and reform.
Nihal Singh, New Delhi: Following the death of innocent children and civilians in the Satya Niketan building collapse in Delhi, the MCD has suspended five people, including the Deputy Commissioner, with immediate effect.
Strikingly, similar actions have been taken in the past, such as in the Saidulabad building collapse, but they have never yielded any visible change on the ground. Past experiences indicate that suspension has now become part of MCD's practice.
Initially, suspensions occur, followed by reinstatement within a few months or years, but no stringent action is taken to fix accountability.
Eventually, in most of the cases, the building is cited as being old, or the official's posting had happened a short time ago. However, this accountability cannot be established for a variety of reasons.
Biggest building collapse and action that followed
In 2010, a building crumbled to the ground in Delhi's Lalita Park. It is considered the most serious case, killing over 70 people and injuring 65.
Four people were suspended in this case as well. But eight years after suspension, a junior engineer (JE) was fined Rs 21,000. The penalty announced after so long was not even recovered immediately but within a year.
The suspended officials do face mental distress over suspension but not financial hardship.
What happens after suspension?
Usually, after the suspension of an officer, a charge sheet is filed by the Vigilance Department. If an officer or employee is found guilty, an FIR is filed against them.
If the situation doesn't escalate to an FIR but the charges stand, the Vigilance Department determines the action to be taken against the officer based on the crime. In many cases, increments and promotions are withheld, while in others, they are even dismissed from service.
However, within three months, a review committee headed by the Additional Commissioner (Engineering) can reinstate these employees if it wishes. During the suspension, officers and employees continue to receive 50 per cent of their salary and allowances.
MCD, a stronghold of deputation officials
MCD has become a stronghold of deputation. The MCD's promotion process for its employees is so slow that the municipal cadre officers get rare advancement and deputation officers benefit the most from this slow process.
Besides, one of the reason for this slow process are also deputation officials, who hold decision-making positions. They allegedly prevent MCD officials from advancing. Officers from the ranks of Assistant Deputy Commissioner to Deputy Commissioner and Administrative Officer are deputed to the corporation.
According to the rules, 50 per cent of the officers at the rank of Deputy Commissioner and Additional Commissioner in the MCD are on deputation, and 50 per cent are departmental.
However, out of the 14 Deputy Commissioners currently, only two are from the MCD. They too have not been assigned to any zone.
Officers on deputation receive priority for appointment as Deputy Commissioners in zones. Furthermore, among the six Additional Commissioners, not a single Additional Commissioner is a departmental Additional Commissioner.