Poll date likely today; govt, MCD on overdrive to clear pending projects

With the MCD election date to be announced on Thursday and the model code of conduct likely to be implemented from Friday, the Delhi government and the MCD have got busy clearing all pending proposals.

With the MCD election date to be announced on Thursday and the model code of conduct likely to be implemented from Friday, the Delhi government and the MCD have got busy clearing all pending proposals.

Once the code of conduct is in place, no new announcements, inauguration of any new structure or policy decisions can be introduced.

According to sources, the State Election Commission decided to make an announcement on Thursday itself, fearing that some councillors might challenge the high court verdict which has rejected the plea to make changes in the reservation of seats.

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Following this, the state government and the municipal corporations will have to cease making new announcements.

According to senior officials, they have been directed to complete maximum number of paperwork by Thursday.

During the model code of conduct, only routine work such as demolition and sealing, road repair and sanitation work can be carried out by the civic agency.

Sources further said that the elections are likely to take place in the second week of February. For the first time, elections for three municipal corporations will be held.

MCD is scheduled to have its House meeting on March 9 and the works committee meeting on March 6. Councillors who had pinned down their hopes on making last-minute announcements on these two days will have to be content with marking their attendance.

“If the date is announced tomorrow, we will not be able to approve any new project but considering it is a statutory obligation we will have to hold the meeting,” said a municipal councillor.

Mayor of Delhi Rajni Abbi has called for a press conference on Thursday after which, she will not be allowed to make any announcements. Though she has called the conference to declare the steps taken by her towards the resident ward committees, she is also expected to talk about her own tenure as a mayor. The tenure of the current MCD House would come to an end on April 5.