We can make municipalities self-reliant in two years: Cong

Hitting out against the BJP-ruled municipalities, the Delhi Congress on Tuesday said that, if elected, it would be able to make the civic bodies financially self-reliant within two years.

Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee president Ajay Maken said that the financial crisis currently plaguing the north and east civic bodies was due to the BJP leadership failing to generate revenue through parking, toll tax, property tax and advertising.

‘Working paper’

In preparation for the municipal elections in April, the Delhi Congress will be publishing a working paper on the fiscal management plan for the civic bodies. The working paper will be released on February 28, Mr. Maken said at a press conference here.

“There are pilferages when it comes to sources of revenue. We will come up with a roadmap on how to increase revenue and make the corporations self-reliant to an extent that they can at least pay salaries and perform their basic duties,” said Mr. Maken.

The Delhi Congress will also be bringing out papers on how to improve solid waste management, primary education and primary health services of the corporations.

Control room

Mr. Maken also announced that the party would set up a control room to help in the selection of candidates.

Party workers in about 13,000 polling booths will be called by the control room to get feedback on the potential candidates, said Mr. Maken.

The party will be taking applications for candidates till February 15. The applications have to be supported by five party workers in the respective wards.