The Apex Committee for Flood Control and Preparedness in Delhi, led by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, has never met in the last two years, according to a statement issued by the Lieutenant Governor’s office on Sunday, amid flooding in low-lying regions of the national capital.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, on the other hand, rejected the charges, claiming that Minister Atishi, as Revenue Minister, presided over the meeting on July 6. The LG’s office stated that a mandatory meeting of the Apex Committee “should have taken place by the end of June and issued Flood Control Order.”
“The Apex Committee meeting ensures seamless coordination between various agencies including GNCTD, GOI, Army and Central Water Commission (CWC). A compulsory meeting of the Apex Committee should have taken place by the end of June and issued Flood Control Order. Flood Control Order was issued without the Apex Committee meeting and without preceding preparations”, the statement read.
According to the report, Kejriwal has “only himself to blame” for the flooding and the capital’s “pathetic situation.”
“Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, who is making his ministers and AAP leaders do overtime in blaming everyone and everything under the sun, for the flooding and resultant pathetic situation of the National Capital, has none other but to blame himself. All statements being made by AAP Ministers and spokespersons are blatantly false”, the statement stated.
It was also claimed that, despite the fact that a file had been sent to the CM for conducting the necessary meeting, “Kejriwal chose not to even look at this critical file related to flood control.”
“On a file moved by the DM of East District, who is the nodal officer of this Apex Committee, on 19.06.23, the Divisional Commissioner- who is also the Convenor of the Committee, requested CM Kejriwal on 21.6.23, to suggest a suitable date & time for convening the mandatory meeting of the Apex Committee in the last week of June.
“The file was submitted to the CM through the Revenue Minister, Atishi Marlena. However, CM Arvind Kejriwal chose to not even look at this critical file related to flood control, leave apart from convening a meeting.
His Additional Secretary, a relatively junior functionary, returned the file after 04 days, i.e. on 26.06.23 to Atishi with the noting that, “Hon’ble CM has desired that the Hon’ble Minister (Revenue) may convene the meeting”, of the Apex Committee, that is Chaired by CM,” the statement said.
