Amidst all the noise over clearance of Delhi Masterplan 2021, there is no subtle politics being played out between Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and the self-projected heir apparent, Minister of State for Urban Development, Ajay Maken. And, caught in between is Cabinet Minister Jaipal Reddy, whose politics lies in far away Andhra Pradesh.
While Dikshit wants the Masterplan to be discussed in the Delhi Assembly, Maken is in favour of DDA approving it as land is a reserved subject with the Centre having the last word. Rather than let the Delhi MLAs use this opportunity to show down the Congress-led government at the Centre, Reddy has apparently made it known to Dikshit that he is not in favour of scoring a self goal. So, discuss the Masterplan if you must, Reddy said, but do not use this to pass a resolution in Assembly demanding that the Centre must cede land to the Delhi government.
Caught in the middle
One person sorely missing Delhi Lt Governor BL Joshi, away for treatment in the US, is Haryana Governor AR Kidwai, who is holding additional charge of the Capital.
With Delhi politics is getting hot over Masterplan 2021, Kidwai has no options but to park himself at Haryana Bhavan and listen to all and sundry. Last Wednesday, Kidwai used all his negotiating skills to calm down an agitated Sheila Dikshit as she wanted city MLAs to have their say on the Masterplan. But what Dikshit does not know is that Kidwai discussed the 2021 plan with urban development experts before he gathered courage to meet her.
Holiday time
Tired of clearing files day in and day out, Chief information Commissioner Wajahat Habibullah is going on a “honeymoon” cruise with his better half from Mumbai to Lakshwadeep in the first week of January.
Chandini Chowk MP and Cabinet Minister Kapil Sibal has gone to Dubai with his former legal associates for a holiday. With the shopping festival on, Dubai decibels must be at an all-time high.
Long weekend
The Delhi bureaucracy never ever had it so good. Last week saw an extended weekend, and the New Year weekend too is a long one. The four weekdays in between hardly seem to count. Even as the CM underwent angiography and was missing from office, bureaucrats were conspicuously absent.
“We are busy exchanging New Year pleasantries,” was the common refrain. And will the pleasantries spill over to the New Year? Perhaps not, with the buzz being that the first week of January should have everyone back in the office.
Airport mall
Can the airport be a mall in itself? Privatisation will sure ensure that. Recognising that the “meeters and greeters” of passengers are a huge customer base in themselves, the iGi Airport has lined up a host of services for customers on the move or on the verge of tears.
So, apart from mall-style steamed-corn kiosks and the prolific Nescafe, you also have Ferns and Petals, where you can buy flowers to greet visitors or gift those who are parting.
All that’s missing from the scene is an indulgence of the sweet tooth, but that will be taken care of with Nirula’s and Baskin Robbins set to open outlets.
“ice-cream is impulse buying, and i’m sure we will do very well,” said a highly placed Nirula’s official.
Posted By Staff Reporter: Gurgaon City News
in Gurgaon News
0 comments