Wondering why Delhi has not been able to attain world-class status despite having spent huge funds, the Delhi High Court has sought the views of Centre and the city government on appointing a consultant to devise a system for better governance of the capital city.
"We accordingly, in the first instance direct the secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, and the Chief Secretary, Delhi Government to present their views in this respect before us by filing affidavits, within a period of four weeks from today including as to the consultant/think tank/expert who/ which can be entrusted with the said task," a bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw said.
The bench observed that the main reason for failure of governance was "continuance even today of tools/schemes/ systems/policies of governance and administration, which were devised over half, if not over a century ago."
"The tools/schemes/systems/policies of governance/ administration which may have been effective then, have with the vast expansion of the city and its population and the increased demands, today failed," it said adding that no attempt to bring in modern schemes, systems or policies to combat the present day issues, appears to have been made.
"It is sad that despite expending huge funds and the best intention of the officials and employees, the city is not able to achieve the world class status to which it aspires," the bench observed.
The observation was made by the bench in its judgment on a PIL filed by one Vinod Kumar Bansal seeking direction to the government for reserving and providing parking spaces to physically-challenged persons.
The bench further said that new systems or policies for administrating and governing the city would have to be devised in consultation with all the government agencies having a role in Delhi and within the ambit of the constitutional status of the city.
"We are sure that a competent think tank/consultant assigned the said task, would be able to devise a structure/ scheme/system for better administration/governance of the city," the bench said.
It noted that business houses at huge costs, hire management consultants to study their existing management systems and thereafter suggest changes for optimising efficiency and profits.
