BJP-ruled SDMC slammed on projects

New Delhi: Initiating budget discussions in the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC), Leader of the Opposition Farhad Suri alleged that the BJP-ruled civic body has failed to launch a single new infrastructure project of any significance in the last several years. Mr Suri said the situation is so pathetic and deplorable that the long standing “car parking” projects as well as hospital projects, which should have been completed several years ago, are nowhere near completion.

Attacking the ruling BJP, Mr Suri said that every year budget estimates are prepared in a haphazard and whimsical manner, without proper study and analysis.

This is subsequently downgraded in the revised budget estimates, resulting in curtailing of expenditure, thereby depriving the residents of the SDMC of the much-needed civic amenities and infrastructure.  

Mr Suri claimed that the SDMC has failed to deliver in key sectors like health, education and sanitation. The available budget also goes unutilised which amply exemplifies the incompetence of the BJP-ruled administration.

“The SDMC, which claims to be financially sound, still has to clear loans worth over Rs 400 crore, pay arrears to sanitation workers worth around Rs 750 crore, and clear the dues of old age widow pension for the last 20 months besides bearing the burden of the seventh pay commission,” added Mr Suri.

He pointed out that 65 of the SDMC schools do not have Delhi Jal Board water and the corporation has not been able to do anything about it. “Books and copies are never distributed in time. CCTVs were installed in 22 schools. CCTVS in 40 schools are to be installed in the current year. Out of these, several are non-functional. Our schools have had instances of child molestation and despite promises being made every year, no female security guards have been deployed. One of the largest schools in G-Block, Sangam Vihar, does not even have a boundary wall. 95 out of 426 school sites do not have NOC from Delhi Fire Services,” he said.