The ‘Land for Land’ scheme of the Jaipur Development Authority (JDA) is under intense scrutiny across the state due to allegations of significant corruption. When information about massive corruption reached the CMO, UDH Minister Jhabar Singh Kharra took the matter seriously as soon as he took charge. He spoke exclusively to The Daily Guardian on various questions related to city planning. Excerpts:
Q: Your department needs to improve its image. What efforts will you make for this?
A: My priority is that the work should be done transparently. Along with this, there should be no corruption. Our first effort will be to complete the project on time and with quality. Corruption used to happen during the rule of the previous government. Action will be taken against these corrupt people in our government. Be it an officer or an employee, they will have to work in other departments including JDA, Municipal Corporation, DLB, and UDH. Everyone’s performance will be seen. Accountability of officers will be fixed. If any file remains with any officer or employee beyond the time limit, action will be taken against it. All types of rules and regulations will be made online in the public domain. The day will not be far when people’s work in JDA and Municipal Corporation will be done within the stipulated time.
Q: Land for Land is becoming a serious matter. It is being said that a big transaction has taken place in this. What will you do in this matter?
A: The first thing I have taken cognizance of is this matter as soon as I took charge. In such a situation, now first of all I have asked for a list of all the cases of allotment of land in exchange for land during the Congress rule. This list has been asked to be given within seven days. After this I will study these matters and action will be taken. As soon as the report comes to me, there will be another important meeting immediately thereafter. After this, an investigation can also be done by ACB or SOG. If necessary, a SIT will also be formed and this entire episode will be investigated.
Q: It is often seen that there is a lack of coordination among departments. First, the road is built and dug up in a few days. How will you get rid of this problem?
A: It is true that there is a lack of coordination among the departments. My first effort is to ensure better coordination among all departments. For this, we have already started work. It will not happen that just three months after the road is built, another department will demolish the road in the name of laying a pipeline or sewer line. We will develop a different type of mechanism for coordination between departments. Once the road is built, there will be no road cuts on it for one or two years.
Q: The condition of our drainage system is deteriorating. Jaipur cannot bear one hour of rain. What efforts will be made for this?
A: This is a serious problem. There is heavy waterlogging in BRTS on Sikar Road. Along with this, similar waterlogging occurs on all the cuts of the Ajmer-Delhi Express Highway.
Officials have been instructed to find a solution to this. The main reason for the deterioration of the drainage system is new settlements.
Q: You have got the responsibility of an important department. The ministers of this department also remain in controversies many times. How will you save yourself from these controversies?
A: I never had any desire for a ministerial post. I am a person from a rural environment. I understand the problems of the common people better. After consideration, the party considered me worthy and gave me a big department. People say that there are more challenges in this department and I say that I like to overcome challenges. The people who have been accused have been accused because of greed. I have no greed in any department.
Q: Prithviraj Nagar of Jaipur is a big area, in which people are facing problems like water and electricity due to regulations. JDA officials are not organising regular camps. What will you say?
A: I have taken the issue of Prithviraj Nagar regulation seriously in the very first meeting. Information has been sought after discussing this matter. Advance action will be taken against the colonies whose files have arrived. If the work is pending, answers will be sought from the officials. Soon camps will start setting up in the colonies of Prithviraj Nagar. Our main objective is to provide relief to the common people. People must get basic facilities.
