Appeal to dissolve Trans-Yamuna Development Board

The East Delhi Municipal Corporation's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party will soon appeal to the Delhi Government to dissolve the Trans-Yamuna Development Board. Members of the Corporation's Standing Committee at its meeting on Thursday called for dissolution of the Board and asked that the budget allocated be transferred to the Corporation.

Presently the EDMC receives Rs.70 crore from the Board for development work. “Since the responsibility of maintaining the Trans-Yamuna region falls upon the EDMC after trifurcation, what is the need for two agencies doing the same job?” asked a member. “Either the Board should be dissolved or merged with the Corporation.”

The opposition Congress was, however, not in favour of such a proposal. “The Board falls under the Delhi Government and not under the jurisdiction of the Corporation. Instead of dissolving the Board, the Chairman of the Standing Committee can be appointed a member of the Board,” said Leader of Opposition Varyam Kaur.

Rearing cows

The Committee also passed a resolution allowing people in East Delhi to rear cows in their homes and asked the House in its next meeting to allow such a resolution. Municipal Commissioner S. S. Yadav also informed the members that a special committee involving officials from the Delhi Jal Board, Public Works Department, Delhi Development Authority and the Flood Control Department has been formed to look into de-silting and cleaning of storm water drains. “The committee has met twice already and 95 per cent of the work has been completed on the drains in the two zones. 32,000 metric tonne of silt has been removed,” he said.

Mahendra Ahuja, BJP councillor from Anand Vihar, drew the attention of the Standing Committee to two MCD primary schools in the Gandhi Nagar area that may face eviction due to defaulting of rental payments.

“Due to non-payment of rent, two schools may have to move out of its premises. What about the children and teachers of that school?” he asked, adding the eviction is directly linked to the increasing property rates in the area. Mr. Yadav said that before the eviction date which is set for mid-July, the formal possession of the land on which the school stands will be made by the Corporation.