DC’s nod must to issue notices

Ramkrishan Upadhyay

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 5

UT officers, including the Assistant Estate Officer, Land Acquisition Officer and those in the Deputy Commissioner’s office and the Food and Supplies Department, have been directed not to issue notices for violations to city residents without the Deputy Commissioner’s approval.

In a decision, which will have far-reaching consequences, Deputy Commissioner Ajit Balaji Joshi has issued directions to all heads of departments working under him to send each such file to him for approval.

“To bring transparency and streamline the functioning of offices under my control, it is hereby ordered that such offices shall put up all files before me for approval except those related to financial powers delegated to these officers. This shall include files from my office and those from the offices of the AEO, LAO and the Food and Supplies Department,” the order states.

It states that till further orders, files related to the issuance of notices under various Acts and rules applicable to the Estate Office and the Deputy Commissioner’s office shall be sent to him for approval.

Arvind Jain, president of the Vyapar Sadan, termed the decision of the Deputy Commissioner pro-people and said in the past there were cases when “the delegated powers were misused”.