The Hindu 30.11.2011
Mayor questions reasoning for move to split MCD
On the eve of a special session of the Delhi Assembly in
which the Delhi Government would move the Delhi Municipal Corporation
Amendment Bill-2011 for trifurcation of the Municipal Corporation of
Delhi, Mayor Rajni Abbi on Tuesday opposed the move on the ground that
it “lacks foresightedness and a vision for the citizens” and reiterated
the demand for setting up a Mayor-in-Council.
She
said the basic reason given for splitting the MCD in the statement of
objectives and reasons of the Delhi Municipal Corporation Amendment
Bill-2011 is the phenomenal population growth. The Census of 2001 has
been considered the base.
She said if that were
indeed the case, then in 2007, when the number of wards was increased
from 134 to 272, the Government could have considered a division of the
Corporation instead. Prof. Abbi said that with the Census of 2011
expected in January 2012, Delhi would need six Corporations if
population alone was the criterion.
The Mayor said
Section 2 provides for the post of a Commissioner for each of the
corporations. Similarly, it stipulates that there shall be three Mayors
and three Standing Committee Chairmen.
“This will
increase manifold the financial burden on the corporations. However, in
the financial memorandum, the Bill says that any additional financial
liability will be made up through internal resources and no financial
assistance will be sought from the Union Home Ministry, i.e. the
Government of India,” she added.
Prof. Abbi also
charged that insertion of new Section 284 (A), whereby Director of Local
Bodies shall be appointed to coordinate the functions of the respective
corporations, is unconstitutional.
“It is unheard of that a bureaucrat sits on three elected bodies and gets overriding powers,” she said.
Moreover,
she said, Section 514 (B) gives overriding effect to the Delhi
Development Act-1957 over the DMC Act. “However, the DMC Act was passed
to consolidate and amend the law related to the MCD and therefore it
cannot be subservient to any other body. This calls for a rethink on the
whole amendment process,” the Mayor said, adding that the creation of
Mayor-in-Council would be a better option.
Regarding
the BJP seeking division of the MCD in its manifesto, Prof. Abbi said
that was only talked about when Delhi attained full Statehood. “This was
reflected in the unanimous resolution of the Special House convened by
the MCD on the issue,” she said.
“Citing population growth as reason shows lack of Govt. foresight”
“Financial burden to increase manifold”