Will work for city’s pride, status: Dev

Rajinder Nagarkoti

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 24

New UT Adviser Vijay Kumar Dev, who joined today, said he was feeling like a nursery student in Chandigarh because it was his first day as the UT Adviser here, but assured he would soon get the hang of things in the city. Dev talked on different issues with the media. Here are a few excerpts:

On the City Beautiful
It is a beautiful city. I have become part of the city now. With the public support, I will try to maintain the pride and status of Chandigarh. We all have to work to improve the quality of life of residents here in terms of human development index. We will work on all parameters, be it health, public safety or education to name a few.

Coordination between different departments
I always believe whatever gets measured, gets done. I will ensure qualitative and quantitative measurement of all the departments of the UT Administration. I will try my best to see that all departments work as a cohesive unit. I will ensure that the UT Administration works as a single organic unit.

On pressure from govts of Punjab & Haryana
After having worked in Delhi where pressure is much higher as compared to Chandigarh, my only answer to you is…this should be a cakewalk.

Role of the media
I have a habit of interacting with the media which I have done in the past 28 years. It will not be a one-way interaction as I will try to get a feedback from them. This has always helped me in improving public services.

Criminal justice administration system
In criminal justice administration system — the state, which is the UT Administration, plays a very important roleapart from the judiciary.I will give more importance to the state part which includes police, investigation system, forensic evidence and public prosecutors.

Interface with judiciary

I will see to it that there is harmony between the judiciary and the executive. The Administration should work in such a way so that judiciary feels that their decisions get implemented and the Administration is doing its job. I will take all steps on behalf of the UT Administration to smoothen the interface with judiciary.

Development work

Chandigarh has a scope of becoming a techonology and knowledge hub. I will work towards achieving that goal.

On bird flu

The UT Administration has done a commendable job on the bird flu issue. Even the Government of India has appreciated the efforts taken by the UT Administration.

Metro project

Like Metro project there are many othe important projects. I will study all the projects and on the basis of their merits, the projects will be carried forward.

Cadre war

When somebody is in Chandigarh, he does not belong to Punjab or he does not belong to Haryana. Our loyalty and commitment has to be towards Chandigarh and towards its residents. So whatever we do, whoever we are, from wherever we come, our allegiance and our devotion has to be for the residents of Chandigarh.