MCD penalty amount stuck in time warp

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has been unable to increase the penalty amount that it can levy on people under various sections of the Delhi Municipal Act (DMC), for the past 53 years.

What started in 1957 is continuing even in 2010.

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The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has been unable to increase the penalty amount that it can levy on people under various sections of the Delhi Municipal Act (DMC), for the past 53 years.

As the DMC Act was enacted in 1957, the amount that was fixed at that time is proving too meagre to act as a deterrent in today’s scenario.

People in Delhi often litter or spit in public places. The maximum fine for any such offence under the DMC Act is just Rs. 50. The meagre amount hence fails to dissuade offenders from breaking rules.

“We had written to the Delhi government asking it to increase the fine by five times but our proposal was rejected by them,” said R.K. Singhal, MCD Standing Committee chairperson.

The proposal was rejected by the Delhi government in 2008. The civic agency was to be given a sum of Rs. 100 crore per annum in lieu of the consequent loss of income. The civic body will now write to the state government, asking for the promised sum of Rs. 100 crore.

In a budget review presentation on Wednesday, Singhal informed the MCD House that although the Delhi Finance Commission had at the time recommended that MCD be given Rs 100 crore to augment its revenues if the fines were not reviewed, the state government has not released any such amount so far.

“If the state government thinks it fit to not increase the fines, it should at least release the recommended amount,” he added. taxes that had been rejected later.

The MCD is currently authorised to only levy fines according to the DMC Act and can charge a maximum of Rs 50 for offences such as dumping garbage in public areas and littering, as per the Act.