MCD told to make budget estimates for new bodies

To ensure its budget reflects the ground reality of respective areas, the Delhi government has asked the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to start preparing budget estimates for the three new corporations that will come into existence in April.

To ensure its budget reflects the ground reality of respective areas, the Delhi government has asked the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to start preparing budget estimates for the three new corporations that will come into existence in April.

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According to sources, the urban development department has asked the civic agency to make more realistic budgets depending on the needs of individual corporations. The current MCD has been divided into three parts — east, north and south. While in east Delhi the civic agency will have 64 wards, north and south Delhi will have 104 wards.

"The budget prepared by the MCD is very inflated and far from the daily concerns of the people. The budget approved by the MCD House two days back will not be able to cater to the three new corporations which is why we have asked the MCD to start the exercise again," said a Delhi government official.

Sources in the urban development department said that the income and expenditure of each corporation would be decided depending on the needs of the respective area.

"Areas in east Delhi might have different needs and demands compared with those in south Delhi. The new budgets will take note of that. Issues such as whether to increase property tax or not will also depend on individual corporations," added the official.

"There are liabilities worth Rs 3,000 crore which will have to be taken care of. Each corporation will have to share it," said the official.