Trouble was brewing between Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) on Wednesday, with the engineers of the water utility launching a protest against him for allegedly misbehaving with DJB officials.
Mr. Kejriwal suspended two engineers and allegedly humiliated other top officials during a meeting to review water supply on Monday.
After the meeting, DJB Member (Water Supply) R.S. Tyagi resigned.
Though Mr. Tyagi told The Hindu that he resigned due to “ill health”, others present at the meeting said that the CM’s statements had forced the move.
The Engineers Association of the DJB held a protest at the headquarters of the organisation on Wednesday in solidarity with Mr. Tyagi and the two suspended officials – Chief Engineer Y.K. Sharma and Executive Engineer B.C. Patel.
According to several engineers present at Monday's meeting, most MLAs commended the DJB for improving water supply, but some had complaints. The CM allegedly lashed out at the officials of those areas.
‘Foul language’
“The association condemns in strong words the foul language used by the Chief Minister against the Member and other engineers, particularly when this summer the DJB has achieved record water production and laid supply lines in 230 new colonies,” said Shalabh Kumar, the president of the Engineers Association.
While demanding an apology from the CM and the reinstatement of those suspended, the engineers said they would continue to protest until Mr. Kejriwal apologised.
The engineers will hold a protest at the Delhi Secretariat on Thursday, said Mr. Kumar. The engineers will continue to work, but will wear black arm bands in protest.
‘Predetermined’
The DJB has managed to increase the supply of treated water this past year by adding three new plants, achieving over 900 million gallons per day (MGD) of supply for the first time.
“Instead of appreciating the water supply management, the Chief Minister chose to target individual officers without any grounds as if he was predetermined to suspend some of the officers and derive mileage,” said Mr. Kumar.
Despite repeated attempts, no comment could be obtained from the government spokesperson and the DJB chairperson Kapil Mishra, who did not attend Monday’s meeting.
