‘HatkeStory’ got an opportunity to contact one such anti-corruption crusader, Mr. Vijay K Saluja. He has done justice to his name, emerging victorious in a long-lasting legal battle in the Delhi High Court for a case that he filed in 1993. He filed the case to look into the unethical & unfair practices that resulted in substantial non-optimum utilization of public funds in the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC).
Thanks to the TRP-hungry media, which banks on negative news, we only get to watch, hear and read about corrupt politicians, scams, official apathy et al.. But, hardly about people who are doing a good job. With ground realities worsening day by day, the stories of people who value honesty, integrity, and ethics rather than money and power are necessary to motivate society esp. the youngsters. The media should highlight people who stand for duty, ethics, integrity, professionalism & good values. Fortunately, India has its share of anti-corruption crusaders. Vijay K Saluja is one of them.
Vijay K Saluja, an IIT Delhi (Civil Engineering) graduate, joined the NDMC in 1969 as an Assistant Engineer. He believed that his IIT degree would give him an added advantage to do his job efficiently. He took it as a professional challenge to do a good/quality job using fewer funds in India’s richest civic body.
However, the bitter truth was evident from his experience at the office as time passed at NDMC. He thought people who did good quality work by following values and ethics would gain appreciation. Sadly, there was no encouragement from his department for doing his job right.
How did you feel when the conditions were so discouraging at NDMC?
Vijay K Saluja – Some of my observations based upon my experience in my tenure of 35 years at NDMC:
- Existing administrative/political system/bureaucracy is broadly insensitive to fairness, merit & integrity, is generally egoistic, self-centered & tries to promote the interests of their close-knit group
- There is hardly any accountability for their actions/misuse of powers. Result: There is misgovernance, corruption, and delay in projects
- Honest & meritorious dedicated officials [mainly] are badly affected and suffer for years! They have to run from pillar to post for their legal dues. Some are even constrained to knock on the doors of the Courts.
- Manipulative, networked, unscrupulous senior officers abuse powers for personal gains. Result: Country’s works suffer. Development funds get wasted due to poor planning, design, award, execution, monitoring, etc.
Mr. Saluja, labeled as an idealist for believing in professional values and ethics, decided to move the court himself and argued his case, which lasted for more than ten years.
Why are court cases so tough to handle?
Vijay K Saluja – “Going to the court is a finance/nerve-shattering experience! Despite well-staffed Law Depts., some organizations field top private lawyers of the country to defend their cases in the Courts. It saddens me that so much time is wasted even on service matters. Hapless government officers have to fight in court, spending their meager funds. State money/funds are used for paying huge fees to the engaged lawyers.”
This standoff between the corrupt system and Mr. Saluja lasted from 1984-2004 until he retired. Since his petition contained more than 1200 pages, some of his friends asked if he could write a book even. Bad performance reports, frequent transfers, harassment, humiliation, and even death threats did not deter this man from doing his duty.
“I just wanted to do various civil Engg works/projects with no cost & time over-runs & proper quality control in place. Nothing more, nothing less.”
How have your co-workers in NDMC responded to your stand?
Vijay K Saluja – “Many people tell that they have fond memories of working with me, love/respect me for taking on the right stand, and our relationship is great. It gives me great satisfaction.”
After a long-lasting legal tussle, he finally became the Chief Engineer of the New Delhi Municipal Council in May 2004. Unfortunately, his tenure lasted only for 20 days, as he superannuated on 31st May 2004
A few of the Awards and Recognition for fighting corruption:
- Red & White Bravery Award in January 2002
- Delhi Citizen One Award in 2004
- Giraffe Heroes Award in 2004
- Satyendra K. Dubey Memorial Award in February 2009
- CID Gallantry Award by Sony TV, in January 2010
- Idea Daredevil Award in 2012
Mr. Vijay K Saluja is present, a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Social Sciences, New Delhi, and Director of Giraffe Heroes India Program since June 2012.
What is the Giraffe Heroes India Program?
Vijay K Saluja – Giraffe Heroes (GH) is a US-based nonprofit organization that works with the mission “To move people to stick their necks out for the common good, and to give them tools to succeed.” GH/India tells the inspiring stories of the country’s heroes, motivating others to become heroic too.
Learn more at http://www.giraffe.org/global/india
What do you propose?
Vijay K Saluja – In case the state loses the service matters case, despite fielding top private lawyers. The state should recover the money spent on the LOST CASE from the personal funds of those officers who delayed the matters or did not take decisions, as per the laid down rules, thus forcing the aggrieved employees to go to the court.
It would send the right signals to the administrative system, bring about accountability, and improve governance. The state can save thousands of crores of funds per year. Courts will be less clogged with cases.”
Everyone has potential. People doing good should address youngsters in schools, colleges, and universities and impart value education. Media too has enormous potential to highlight in many ways the valuable work being done by many Giraffe Heroes.
Watch Vijay K Saluja talk on YouTube:
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