Civic body takes back development funds, maintenance takes a hit

In a move that is bound to hamper hundreds of developmental projects, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) under the orders of commissioner KS Mehra has withdrawn funds that were supposed to be used for maintenance of roads, footpaths and streetlights among others.

In a move that is bound to hamper hundreds of developmental projects, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) under the orders of commissioner KS Mehra has withdrawn funds that were supposed to be used for maintenance of roads, footpaths and streetlights among others.

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MCD works committee chairman Jagdish Mamgain has termed the order "unconstitutional" and has asked

the commissioner if he has power to alter budget estimates or implementation of any proposal without the sanction of the legislative wing of the corporation.

In a recent order, the engineer-in-chief withdrew non-plan funds and withheld ongoing works without informing the corporation.

The commissioner has asked the deputy chief accountants of all zones not to book or concur any work under the various development head.

There are twelve non-plan heads in the order, which include maintenance and repair works of roads (urban and rural), footpaths, maintenance works, streetlights and rural area development work.

The MCD was to spend nearly Rs 500 crore under four heads towards improving the civic infrastructure of the city.