The 2003-batch Haryana cadre IAS officer, Ajit Balaji Joshi, who joined as UT Deputy Commissioner on October 30, talks to Vinod Kumar about steps being taken to streamline the functioning of the estate office and the challenges ahead.
Written by Vinod Kumar | Chandigarh | Updated: November 30, 2015 5:30 am
UT Deputy Commissioner Ajit Balaji Joshi. (Sahil Walia)
The 2003-batch Haryana cadre IAS officer, Ajit Balaji Joshi, who joined as UT Deputy Commissioner on October 30, talks to Vinod Kumar about steps being taken to streamline the functioning of the estate office and the challenges ahead.
What are your priorities and challenges?
Streamlining the functioning of the estate office is one of the key challenges. We have set a one- year deadline for improving the functioning of the estate office. For that we have planned complete computerisation, creating data bank of all the properties. At present, we have no data bank of property on computers. In Chandigarh, majority of the property is in urban area, which is very expensive. Any mistake on part of the estate office or owner can lead to problems. Bringing transparency in functioning of the estate office is another priority. We have also proposed to link all the properties with Aadhaar for which we will carry an awareness drive.
How do you intend to end red tape at estate office?
At present, the processes adopted by the estate office are very lengthy, which promotes red tape to some extent. Our aim is to reduce the time of all the processes that will be beneficial for the general public as well as the staff. We have also decided to make use of information technology (IT) tools. It will not only bring transparency, but will help in providing people with better services.
At present, the processes adopted by the estate office are very lengthy, which promotes red tape to some extent. Our aim is to reduce the time of all the processes that will be beneficial for the general public as well as the staff. We have also decided to make use of information technology (IT) tools. It will not only bring transparency, but will help in providing people with better services.
The estate office has failed to deliver services in a time-bound manner.
There is a huge backlog and this has to change. There are some cases pertaining to approval of building plans that have been pending from the past many years. However, for delivering time-bound services, we first need to streamline the functioning of the estate office, which requires some time. Nothing can happen overnight. Time-bound delivery of services is on top of our priority.
Grievance redressal mechanism is not so effective. What is being done to address the issue?
Its another area of concern for us and we need to work on it. We are going to start a portal for grievance redressal. We have also decided to track the movement of all the complaints submitted by residents at different levels. Nodal officers will be deployed for ensuring that the grievances of the residents are resolved in time.
Staff shortage is often given as alibi for non-performance of the estate office. What are the plans to address this problem?
Staff shortage is actually one of the reasons for the ineffective functioning of the estate office. We desperately need people who are good at work. The department has started filling the vacant posts that have been lying vacant from past many years. We need staff for carrying out various drives to remove encroachments and violations. For effective enforcement, we need more people.
Staff shortage is actually one of the reasons for the ineffective functioning of the estate office. We desperately need people who are good at work. The department has started filling the vacant posts that have been lying vacant from past many years. We need staff for carrying out various drives to remove encroachments and violations. For effective enforcement, we need more people.
In absence of proper check, building violations have increased in the city over the years. What is being done to check this?
Its our duty to keep a check on violation. For effective enforcement, we have asked for more junior engineers to carry out regular inspections. For building violations, residents are also responsible. They do not follow the sanctioned plan. There is a need to make people aware about violations and advising them to stick to approved plans. Chandigarh is a city known for discipline. When we can follow traffic rules, why can’t we follow building rules?
Its our duty to keep a check on violation. For effective enforcement, we have asked for more junior engineers to carry out regular inspections. For building violations, residents are also responsible. They do not follow the sanctioned plan. There is a need to make people aware about violations and advising them to stick to approved plans. Chandigarh is a city known for discipline. When we can follow traffic rules, why can’t we follow building rules?
Will accountability of officials be fixed for improving the delivery?
Keeping that in mind, every week we have started holding review meetings. We have fixed days for reviewing court cases, pending cases and complaints received. All the dealing hands have been directed to deal with files in a time-bound manner, failing which action will be taken against them.
Two of your proposals – linking of all properties with Aadhaar and compulsory registration of rent deed – have not been well received by a section of the society.
Registration of rent deed is mandated under the Act, whereas linking of property with Aadhaar is willful. Keeping the benefits in mind, I would urge all the residents to get their properties linked with Aadhaar card. By doing so, they will only protect their properties. I had successfully executed it in Jind and it was first district in the country to have all the properties linked with Aadhaar. When this can be done in rural area like Jind, I do not see any reason why the same can not be replicated in urban place like Chandigarh.
How different is Chandigarh from your previous postings in different districts of Haryana?
Chandigarh is an urban-centric place and most of the issues are related to urban. Working in Chandigarh is going to be totally different from district and the expectations of residents from the officers are very high. So far my experience has been very interesting. Uniqueness of Chandigarh is that officers get to perform duties that are performed by officers in districts as well as states. Besides my duty as deputy commissioner, I have been given responsibility of few departments. In districts, the scope of work of department head is very limited whereas in Chandigarh department head is more involved. They are part of forming schemes and policies along with taking care of day-to-day functioning of the department.
Your predecessors enjoyed more power as they were given charge of many important departments whereas your role is limited.
I am posted in Chandigarh as deputy commissioner and I have that charge and whatever additional charge I will get is the decision of the administration and I am ok with that. My focus is to deliver on job at hand rather than worrying about number of departments given to me. My aim is that I should deliver more effectively and efficiently. I do not believe in the number game.
Do you feel the Chandigarh administration is being dominated by UT cadre official?
There is no such thing. We all are working here for Chandigarh with an aim to serve the public well. Posting of officer is solely done on division of cadre strength.
