Local bodies should retain professionals, show door to corrupt: LG

New Delhi, Oct 6 (UNI) Highlighting need to retain hardcore professionals having very good domain of knowledge, high integrity, efficiency and courtesy for effective delivery of civic services at the grassroot level, Delhi Lt Governor Tejender Khanna today said those who do not fit in must be shown the door from local bodies.

Addressing the inaugural session of All India Mayors Conference organized in New Delhi by Mayor Arti Mehra, Mr Khanna said,''there should be professional competence assessment and those who do not fit in must be shown the door from local bodies. It is now an essential pre-requisite for effective delivery of civic services at the grassroot level.'' ''We are short charging the public on delivery of services.

The senior functionaries of local bodies have to critically analyse what kind of culture they are protecting,''Mr Khanna said in his address at the function where a number of Mayors and senior officials from different mega cities of the country were present.

Mr Khanna said the time had come when the local bodies should ensure hundred per cent quality in civil works. In fact there must be mandatory third party quality audit, he said and added that during a recent interaction, Singapore Land Transport officials pointed out with regret that the quality assurance in India is very poor.

''The local bodies often talk of paucity of resources that may be true to some extent but we must critically analyse whether we are giving money worth to the tax payers. The senior functionaries of local bodies are custodian of public money and its use should be exercised with the same restraint, which we use while spending our personal money,''he said.

In this context, the Lt. Governor appreciated MCD's introduction of bio-metric system of attendance, working for development of 272-Wards based Local Area Plans and steps taken to assure quality of civil works by obtaining ISO Certification and other quality checks.

Speaking on the occasion, the Mayor, Arti Mehra emphasized the need for public participation in civic developmental activities.

She cited the successful example of Cochin where on every 5000 population, there is one lady trained in basics of nursing and medicines.

''She is called ''doctor didi'' and each family pays Rs 5 per month in addition to the honorarium by the Government,''Ms Mehra said.

Leader of House Subhash Arya informed that MCD is working fast on developing Local Area Plans for each of it 272 Wards. In the interest of transparency, these plans shall be put on website for anyone to see.

Commissioner K S Mehra stressed that the primary challenge before the local bodies is good governance. He emphasized three key elements for effective delivery of services.

''Firstly, there cannot be good governance without humane face and humane touch. Secondly, local body needs to spend more on developmental activities and less on administration and establishment. Thirdly, local bodies must increase their revenue base so that they are able to spend more on civic services.,''Mr Mehra said.

UNI AR AKJ AS1852