North Delhi mayor meets CS to demand funds

New Delhi: North Delhi Municipal Corporation Mayor Adesh Gupta, on Saturday, met chief secretary Anshu Prakash in connection with non-release of funds due to the municipal body as per the recommendations of the fourth Delhi Finance Commission, which amounts to Rs 1493.51 crore. The Mayor was accompanied by standing committee chairman Tilak Raj Kataria and committee members Veena Virmani and Nisha Mann.

The Mayor said that it is pertinent to mention here that the funds due as per 3rd Delhi Financial Commission (DFC) have also not been released in full. The shortfall is affecting the functioning of the Corporation, which in turn affects the citizens.

The Mayor also apprised the chief secretary that against total amount of Rs 48,060.00 lakh allocated for the year 2017-18 has been reduced to Nil this year by Delhi government in urban development sector. It will put North DMC, the ailing corporation, into further deep trouble, and will adversely affect North DMC’s in discharging its obligatory functions and hinder in provision of civic services besides the timely payment of salaries to Safai Karamcharies.  

There are also committed liabilities under these schemes which are on-going, those may come to halt.  Chairman standing committee, Mr Tilak Raj Kataria, informed that the chief secretary was apprised of the efforts of the corporation to enhance its revenue by mobilizing resources and widening the property tax net. They stressed upon to release the funds to the corporation as high court has also directed to do so and turn down the review petition of Delhi government.

Mr Gupta said that the monsoon is approaching fast and desilting of drains, and preventive measures of vector borne diseases like Dengue, Chikungunya are of utmost importance but lack of funds is creating a major financial constraint. The mayor requested the chief secretary of Delhi that directions be issued to the concerned department to release the funds at the earliest to North DMC and restore the allocation of funds in urban development sector like previous year. to enable the corporation function in the interest of the citizens.