Rift within NDMC hits corporation

Internal difference within the ruling BJP in North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) has taken a toll on decision-making in the civic body.

No key decision has been taken by the NDMC since differences between former mayor and leader of house had came up in the open over awarding of contract for lifting garbage in its municipal jurisdiction. A senior officer said that the executive wing is afraid of taking any decision as there is no unanimity among the ruling party and only due to their differences, files related to garbage lifting has been taken away by the ACB after Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) filed a complaint.

Officers feel that without political support, it is very difficult to take and execute major decisions which involve money. “In the whole controversy of garbage lifting contract, Opposition AAP has filed a complaint in ACB. Recently all files related to the matter were taken away by the ACB for investigation. Fearing action, even without any wrong doing, officers are not taking any decision in this or any other issues,” he added. Another officer said that in the absence of clarity among political leadership, it is very difficult to take important decisions. “In an attempt to settle their political difference in the open, the NDMC leadership has damaged the reputation of the corporation. It is only due to lack of maturity in the political leadership that another political party (AAP) has lodged a complaint in the ACB. Now till the investigation is completed, officers are fearing harassment,” he added. Admitting that the decision-making process is almost stalled in the NDMC, a senior BJP councillor said that it is true and it is time to develop trust between political leadership and the executive wing. “For smooth functioning and development of civic infrastructure, both the wing (executive and political) have to work together. We are working on to clear the existing doubts and building confidence among each other,” he added.