MCD will be accountable to CM soon

Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit will soon have the last word on the capital’s largest municipal body, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), reports HT Correspondent.

Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit will soon have the last word on the capital’s largest municipal body, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD).

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The Home Ministry is in the final stages of approving the notification delegating the central government’s powers of superintendence over the MCD to the Delhi Government.

“The notification will be issued very soon… possibly within this week. We have completed the necessary formalities,” a senior official at the Ministry of Home Affairs said.

The Union Home Ministry had written to Delhi government last month, seeking its response on the handover of 23 of 38 powers so far wielded by the Centre on MCD. The Delhi Cabinet approved the decision and demanded some additional powers like the authority to seize books and inspect.

“Without powers to seize books and inspect, Delhi government would be like a toothless tiger and would not be able to carry out other duties like curbing corruption,” said a senior Delhi government official, requesting anonymity.

The corporation — amongst the largest municipal bodies in the world — is charged with the responsibility of providing civic services to 96 per cent — 1397 sq km — of Delhi. The other two municipal bodies in the Capital, New Delhi Municipal Council and Delhi Cantonment Board, serve the remaining 86 sq km.

The Sheila Dikshit government has been demanding for years that the corporation be brought under its control.