Delhi, the capital city, grapples with a myriad of issues, with residents facing persistent challenges on a daily basis. Chief among these concerns, following traffic congestion and encroachment, is the widespread problem of illegal parking and the exorbitant fees charged even in designated parking areas.
Both these issues fall under the purview of the Delhi Municipal Corporation. It is the responsibility of the corporation to ensure the systematic collection of fees at legal parking sites and to take legal action against offenders in cases of illegal parking. However, people seldom observe such actions.
The Game is Afoot
Following the influential role of social media, videos exposing the reality of illegal parking and extortion in legal parking spaces surface regularly in the city. Yet, officials of the Municipal Corporation remain indifferent.
Recently, revelations surfaced about illegal parking outside Lajpat Rai Market near Lal Qila, leading to police crackdowns on offenders. However, the Municipal Corporation officials remained apathetic.
Just this week, revelations unfolded about two years of unauthorized collection at the multistory parking of Subhash Palace without a tender. However, the Municipal Corporation remained silent even then.
Despite Complaints, No Action Taken
Sources suggest that influential officials within the Municipal Corporation facilitate many corrupt practices related to illegal parking in the city. This is why no concrete steps are taken under the guise of enforcement.
Moreover, these corrupt officials often receive protection from senior officials sitting in high positions within the corporation. This could be the reason why despite complaints two months ago, no action was taken against the officials of the Municipal Corporation.
Questionable Conduct Of Officials
Surprisingly, the current list of officials deployed in the Municipal Corporation, including those in the RP Cell, is not available on the corporation’s website. Only the list of officials appointed last year continues to be updated. Additionally, there has been no update on legal parking spaces since June 2023.
The Game Plan
After the list of legal parking spaces becomes public, individuals will receive information about the locations where illegal parking is rampant. Additionally, they will be notified about instances of extortion occurring even within designated legal parking spots.
Obviously, this will not only harm the parking mafia. It will also hit the pockets of several corrupt officials within the Municipal Corporation. Perhaps, this is why there is an ongoing effort to conceal information about the list and responsible officials.
Special Officials Get Appointed
The conduct of officials within the Municipal Corporation is not new. This department often hits the headlines due to the misdeeds of corrupt officers. Behind the curtains, big games continue to be played effortlessly.
It’s perhaps why many special officers often prefer such positions, even though many of them are not qualified for the role.
Currently, Amit Kumar, who was appointed as the Deputy Commissioner in the RP Cell. Kumar was previously appointed as an additional deputy commissioner in South Delhi Municipal Corporation in 2019. However, his tenure continues to extend.
Furthermore, the Municipal Commissioner, Gyanesh Bharati, entrusted him with the additional charge of sensitive departments. It included the RP Cell and the advertising department, despite his initial appointment as an additional deputy commissioner.
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