Files move faster with ‘weight’ on them: Union minster Nitin Gadkari faults govt system

PUNE: Union minister Nitin Gadkari on Sunday criticised the alleged corrupt practices followed in the govt system and said that files move faster in proportion to the weight (of money) on them.

Gadkari was addressing an ‘Engineers' Day' gathering of the Alumni Association of College of Engineering Pune Technological University (COEPTU) and was speaking about the need for transparency and time-bound decision-making and work in govt departments, more so in the public works.

Citing an example of highway projects, road accidents and fatalities in these accidents, he observed that the root cause of the problems lies in faulty detail project reports (DPRs) more than anything other factor. Moreover, there are bureaucrats who need orders for everything, even to fill potholes on roads, he said. "There is a difference between letter and spirit. If a knowledgeable person is not going to understand the spirit behind the law, then what is the use," he added.

He added, "I should not be saying this on this day but in other works, where you (the bureaucrats) get money, you work faster but otherwise you don't. There are some 'Newton's fathers' in our system and files move faster only if you put more weight (of money) on it. There must be transparency and time-bound decision-making practice," he said.

He said people may say he speaks sharply but, "I expect at least youngsters to take lessons from it," he said.

Several alumni of the college, including those who are currently working at several multinational firms like TESLA, JP Morgan, and in different departments of the state and central govt, were awarded the COEP Abhiman Award.

14-lane highway to connect Pune

The Union minister said his ministry has planned a 14-lane highway between Mumbai and Bengaluru which will start after Atal Setu Bridge and connect to Pune's ring road. People travelling to Bengaluru from Mumbai not need to enter Pune and traffic here can be reduced, he added. They can go to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar on the same route. "A tender has already been floated and we are planning to start work within the next six months," he said.

He urged young engineers to invest their talent in innovation and research "based on community needs and region-specific", and take into consideration proven technology, economic viability, and availability of raw material.

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