Lack of trust, fear among bureaucrats will ruin odd-even: Umesh Saigal

Former Delhi chief secretary Umesh Saigal advised the AAP government to work in coordination with bureaucrats for development of the national capital. He said in absence of trust and coordination between bureaucracy and political leadership no development work could be initiated in a year.

Speaking on the practical challenges that need to be addressed for the success of the odd-even scheme, Mr Saigal said in current environment in the national capital where there is complete trust deficit between the Delhi government and bureaucracy such a scheme could not be successful.

He pointed out that for effective implementation and success of the odd-even scheme a strong network of public transport system is required and that cannot be built when there is a lack of trust.

He said the city is already facing huge shortage of buses as no new buses had been purchased by the Delhi Transport Corporation and every year hundreds of old buses are phased out. “Not a single bus has been commissioned in last three years by the DTC and the way the government and bureaucracy are functioning, not a single bus will be purchased in the next three years,” he added.

Mr Saigal claimed that several serving bureaucrats on many occasions had told him that they are working in an atmosphere of fear that hampered their duty. “In the atmosphere of fear, bureaucrats are afraid of taking any decisions, stalling several key projects and plans of the current government,” said former chief secretary, adding that if the things remain the same, then this government will not be able to purchase any single bus in next three or four years.

Presenting the budget for the current fiscal year, the Delhi government proposed to purchase 3,000 new buses for DTC to strengthen the public transport system. Mr Saigal said that bureaucrats call and finalise tenders based on a bid for purchase of proposed buses, but fearing allegations of corruption from their own government, they are not taking any decision and that has stalled the procurement process.