MCD revamp: Delhi wants say in decision
Delhi residents do not like déjà vu. Especially not when it comes to civic issues.
Delhi residents do not like déjà vu. Especially not when it comes to civic issues.
In 2007, the last time that a delimitation exercise was carried out in the city — doubling the number of councillors from 134 to 272 — they did not have a say.
Once again — with the Delhi government chalking out a plan to restructure the MCD — Delhiites are feeling left out.
However, this time, they have decided to have a say in the restructuring of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD).
A number of Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) across the city are planning to write to the government, asking it to ensure that their views are considered.
"On one hand, the MCD, in its budget, had said that RWAs would be empowered to guide councillors about how they should spend their funds. On the other hand, while they are taking such an important decision about the functioning of the civic agency, no one has bothered to ask us what we want," said Sudhir Kalra, a resident of Kailash Colony.
The MCD looks after 97% area of Delhi and caters to 94% of the population in the city.
RWAs across the city believe they should be consulted before any decision is taken on splitting or restructuring the MCD.
"Even in 2007, they had not taken civic society into account. They are repeating the same mistake again. We feel it's not the size of the MCD which is a matter of concern but the departments that need to be restructured," Rajiv Kakaria, a member of Greater Kailash-I RWA. "It is not multiplicity of authority but multiplicity of departments which is a matter of concern," Kakaria added.
"When a power tariff hike or property tax hike is proposed, our suggestions are sought. But when it comes to taking such an important decision, we are being ignored," VK Arora, a resident of Krishna Nagar.
