Delhi Moves to Expand District Magistrates' Powers

Overview

• Officials said on Wednesday the Delhi services department is preparing a formal proposal to increase district magistrates' powers and will send it to the Lieutenant Governor for approval.
• Home Minister Ashish Sood described the powers being considered as the ability to initiate disciplinary action, order FIR registration, approve or cancel leave and act immediately against non-performing officers.
• The push follows a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta last week that reviewed enforcement gaps after the Malviya Nagar fire that killed 22 people.
• The plan ties into a wider 'mini secretariat' scheme to set up 13 district-level centres where agencies such as the municipal body, DDA and Delhi Police can provide single-window services.
• Because control of services falls under the Lieutenant Governor's remit, the reforms remain contingent on his sign-off and could significantly shift on-the-ground accountability and speed of action by moving decision-making to district magistrates.