Quizzed on GDA, Khattar says wait for the right time

GURGAON: Chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar said on Saturday he would talk about the proposed Gurgaon Development Authority (GDA) "at the right time", the clearest indication yet that there is a rethink in his government on the new agency.
The CM's evasive response was very different from the assuredness of September 5 when he had announced the formation of the GDA at a public event in Gurgaon.The big announcement was expected on November 1, to coincide with the launch of Haryana's golden jubilee celebrations.
The CM had stopped short of announcing a launch date for the GDA but Rao Narbir Singh, a cabinet minister in his government, had insisted that the new agency would be created before November 1.
That doesn't quite seem to be happening, though, with opposition from the bureaucracy to the creation of the GDA having forced the CM into a rethink. The government still wants to form the GDA but is in a dilemma on its structure and powers. TOI had reported on October 20 that the state's seniormost bureaucrats had conveyed their reservations about the GDA to the CM and told him there was no need for such an agency. But since the CM had already publicly committed to creating the GDA, they suggested a face-saver by creating an agency with limited powers headed by a vice-chairman, through alterations in the Huda Act.
The government, it is believed, is now inclined towards appointing an officer on special duty who will lay the groundwork for creation of the GDA. All eyes are now on November 1 to see what Khattar eventually chooses to do. Talking to TOI, senior Gurgaon administration officials said there was no clear indication from the CM on the GDA yet. "There are just eight days remaining for the November 1 deadline but there is no clear talk about GDA," a senior official said, requesting anonymity.
The CM was in the city on Saturday to oversee preparations for the November 1 event in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be the chief guest. His lone remark on the GDA was made in direct response to a query by this correspondent on when the agency would be launched.
Otherwise, he remained fully focused on preparations for the event and pulled up officials on the height of the main stage from which the PM will give his speech, asking it to be to increased. A team from the special protection group (SPG) also visited the stadium to review the security arrangements. As many as 40,000 people are expected to attend the function on November 1.