Lt Governor flags 'delay' by Delhi Minister in civic body-related works: Sources

Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena has taken stringent notice of an alleged delay by Urban Development Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj in augmenting the financial powers of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) Commissioner, sources within the Lt Governor Secretariat said.

The delay, according to the Lt Governor's office, which has been ongoing for more than seven months, pertains to boosting the financial powers of the MCD Commissioner from Rs 5 crore to Rs 50 crore, sources said.

The AAP is in power and has majority in both the Delhi Assembly and MCD.

A statement from Saxena's office alleged that the Delhi government, and especially Bharadwaj, have stalled this enhancement while the national capital faces mounting challenges in areas such as education, sanitation and healthcare.

Citing the Rule 19(5) of Transaction of Business Rules (ToBR) 1993, Saxena had recalled the file concerning the financial powers of the MCD Commissioner on March 6, after being made aware of the pressing challenges of garbage disposal, lack of funding for MCD schools and hospitals due to the non-existence of the MCD Standing Committee, sources said.

However, Bharadwaj did not forward the file within the stipulated three-day window and continues to withhold it, they claimed.

The AAP government allegedly misled justices of the Delhi High Court on April 6 by blaming Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's arrest for the delay in the file clearance, sources said. However, according to the Lt Governor's office, the file, in fact, has been with Bharadwaj since October 9, 2023, they alleged.

Despite reminders sent on March 15, March 28 and April 2, Bharadwaj failed to forward the file to the Lt Governor, sources said.

Due to an absence of proper delegation, the MCD finds difficulty in finalising a concessionaire for the collection and transportation of municipal waste in several zones, they added.

Furthermore, the paucity of funds has restricted civic functions such as procurement of educational materials and medical equipment for schools and hospitals, Lt Governor Secretariat sources further claimed.

Many important projects related to health, sanitation and education are held up owing to the Standing Committee's non-existence for over a year, and the MCD Commissioner's minimal current financial powers, sources said.