MCD gets a new boss - Delhi govt

The Sheila Dikshit government on Monday got the power to control some vital functions of the MCD, where the BJP is in a majority.

The Sheila Dikshit government on Monday got the power to control some vital functions of the MCD, where the BJP is in a majority.

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The home ministry, which controls the MCD under a 1957 law, on Monday issued a notification delegating some of its powers to its nominee in Delhi, the lieutenant governor (LG).

These include the power to transfer streets/colonies from the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to the MCD, to make changes in building bylaws and the monitoring of funds.

With this, the home ministry has partially accepted the Delhi government’s demand for control over the MCD, which provides civic amenities to 90 per cent of the capital.

“The LG will have the power to appointment the municipal commissioner in consultation with the home ministry,” said a government functionary.

But the ministry has not given the LG the power to dissolve the MCD or break it into smaller corporations.

Dikshit had made several representations to the Centre, asking for, among other things, the authority to break the MCD into smaller bodies and the delimitation of municipal wards.