Chandigarh stint best, no political interference, says Manoj Parida

The outgoing adviser to the UT administrator, a 1986-batch Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Mizoram and Union Territories (AGMUT) cadre IAS officer, tells Rajinder Nagarkoti about how they battled Covid-19, what he did for the city beautiful and what more he could have done
How was your experience working in the city?
Among all the UT postings that are available to senior officers, Chandigarh is the best. It is best because here you do not face any political interference. It is a small and a compact city. This is a place I enjoyed very much. Everything is perfect here and you can only improve it and I did my best.
You were active on Twitter last year, but during the second Covid-19 wave, you deactivated it. Any specific reason?
During the first wave, the country witnessed its first ever lockdown and everything was new for officers, doctors and the public. Last time, many policy decisions were involved, which were taken for the first time like how many people can go in a car. There was a complete lockdown and vendors were not distributing the newspapers too. So, the only platform that was left was social media through which we could give clarity to the public and accordingly I used Twitter. During the second wave, guidelines were clear, and UT was also holding regular war room meetings and newspapers were being distributed, so I was not active on Twitter.
What is your major contribution to the city?
Despite taking mild measures, we were able to effectively handle Covid-19 in the city in comparison to other states. It became possible only because of the support of the public and work done by doctors and officers. During the second wave, the hospitals were full across the country, but we were able to manage the situation and deaths due to non-availability of hospital beds and oxygen did not happen here. The mini Covid-19 care concept was also a major achievement, which helped in better management with the support of NGOs. Another huge achievement was recovering the 27-acre prime land worth Rs 1,200 crore from encroachers and shifting around 1,700 families. It all happened during the Covid-19 and this was a major exercise, which we completed successfully.
The smart city project is still not completed. What do you have to say about it?
When I came here, the smart city project had not taken off. No major tender was finalised and everything was at the planning stage. During my tenure, all the tenders were finalised and the work too has started. In the coming years, people will see the impact of these works.
What are your views on the power privatisation project?
This is Central government’s project. The UT administration supported the Centre’s stand. If the private power companies come here, there will be better power distribution and consumers will be happy too.
Any project, which you wanted to complete during your tenure, but couldn’t?
In the last one-and-a-half years nothing major has taken off due to Covid-19, specially the construction activities. Let us say, the Sector 29-Industrial Area flyover. It may be controversial and under litigation, but I personally feel it should have been done. The underpass between the PGI and PU also got delayed due to Covid-19. I had planned complete rejuvenation of Sector 17, but the pandemic affected the project. Introduction of new technology for the garbage processing plant, which I wanted to do during my tenure, could not happen. Plans of mass rapid transport system (MRTS) and starting electric buses, shortcut route to the airport, these are some of the projects which I wanted to complete during my tenure, but all got affected due to Covid-19. Our priority was to save lives during the pandemic.
The major demand of traders and industrialists like conversion of leasehold to freehold remains unaddressed. Why?
The conversion of leasehold to freehold should be allowed. With freehold status of land, ultimately the economy will grow. Here, the previous administrator had decided that land matters should be decided by the home ministry. As a result, the matter is still pending with the Centre. We had written for an approval on fixing rates so that we could go ahead. It will take some time, but I am hopeful that it will be done sooner.
There has been no final solution on the UT employees’ housing scheme.
I believe that the employees here are rather unfair. After the high court intervention, two to three options were given to them, but they insisted on getting same type of houses on old rates. No government can agree to that. The administration had given them the best option after consultation with the home ministry. They should have accepted those offers. The matter is now sub judice and I can’t comment more on it.
Any message for city residents?
I first thank all of them. I received so much love and cooperation. I have a few months into my service left, but when I look back to my career, the time spent in Chandigarh is my best time. People are appreciative of good work, and they are critical if you make mistake as well. It is good to see that people here are participative, responsive and active in decision-making of the administration.