Cong accuses BJP of asking for more than it can digest
Post trifurcation of the MCD and the BJP’s victory in the civic polls, the BJP and the Congress have been trading barbs over what BJP alleges the state government’s efforts to cripple the civic bodies.
Post trifurcation of the MCD and the BJP’s victory in the civic polls, the BJP and the Congress have been trading barbs over what BJP alleges the state government’s efforts to cripple the civic bodies.
Two days after the BJP-led MCD accused the Delhi government of not helping it financially, the state government said the BJP is politicising the issue.
Three Delhi ministers — transport and education minister Arvinder Singh, power minister Haroon Yusuf and labour and law minister Ramakant Goswami — led the government offensive on the civic body, alleging that even though it could not spend the money provided to it last year, it was demading more funds.
Arvinder Singh said the BJP should work for the welfare of the people rather than seeking financial assistance from Delhi government.
He clarified that the loan extended to the three corporations has a one-year moratorium, till which time they will not have to pay the loan or Interest money. HT had reported on Sunday that the BJP wanted the loan to be converted into a grant.
Haroon Yusuf and Ramakant Goswami alleged that even as MCD is demanding funds it has not been able to spend the money given to it last year.
"Delhi Government had increased the plan outlay for MCD in the last financial year from Rs 1585 crore to Rs 1722 crore to make available more funds for development. However, the MCD could only spend Rs 1660 crore till March 2012," said Singh.
Leader of the House in the last MCD Subhash Arya had said that government had merely provided them loan of Rs 1831 crore and it would put an additional burden of R200 crore on all the three corporations. He had demanded that these funds should be given in the form of a grant.
"We have given them the loan so that they can pay off their liabilities and pay contractors Rs 600 crore dues," said Yusuf.
The minister further alleged that if the civic agency did not have sufficient funds how did it manage to call tenders for the development projects. "This needs to be probed," added Singh.
The three ministers alleged that the MCD could only spend R146 crore till March this year for construction and maintenance of roads against R185 crore provided by the Delhi government last year.