Intolerance for corruption: Mayor Aziz suspends CDA official over graft charges

Inquires about the behavior of officers and staff with visitors

ISLAMABAD: Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI) and Chairperson Capital Development Authority (CDA) Mayor Sheikh Anser Aziz suspended an official of the estate management directorate on charges of taking a bribe.

Mayor Aziz took this action on Monday after receiving complaints against irregularities in different affairs of the land and rehabilitation directorate. He also ordered the confiscation and sealing of all records of the departments and ordered an investigation into the incident.

After the complaint, Aziz suspended the official for taking a bribe and directed others to ensure their daily presence.

Surprise Visit

The mayor paid a surprise visit to the office of the land and estate management directorate and checked the attendance of officers and other staff. He also met with visitors and heard their grievances. On the occasion, director general (administration), deputy director general estate and land, director security and officers of the authority were also present.

He also visited the One-Window Operation Directorate (OWOD) where he met the staff. Aziz inquired about the behavior of officers and CDA staff along with other issues related to the transfer of property cases. He also directed the officials to address the problems of visitors within the stipulated time period.

The mayor told officials about the installation of telephones at OWOD so that the visitors could register their complaints against the corrupt officers and CDA officials. He also ordered the OWOD director and deputy director general Land and estate to pay regular visits to OWOD and solve the problems of the visitors.

Computerisation of land records

The mayor also ordered the streamlining and computerisation of land-related records and asked the security director to coordinate the proper handling of land-related records so they could be computerised at the earliest.

He urged officials to solve the problems of complainants with honesty, day in and day out.  He said that corrupt individuals will be dealt with an iron fist. He urged officers to shun dishonesty as it was completely unacceptable.

Improving facilities

He also visited the revenue, sports and culture directorates. At the revenue department, he inquired about the payment of water dues, property taxes and allied charges.  He also visited the offices of the deputy commissioner and senior special magistrate where he instructed the further improvement of facilities.

During his visit of the transport cell of the Sports and Culture Directorate, Aziz ordered officials to conduct the necessary repair/maintenance of water tankers. He added that the directorate would be upgraded to promote sports and other cultural activities in the federal capital.

He expressed his commitment to make CDA a people-friendly organisation and said all available resources would be extended to ensure CDA officials serve people to the best of their ability.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 20^th, 2016.