MCD will finally be trifurcated with Delhi Assembly passing a bill to this effect on Thursday amid pandemonium created by BJP MLAs who demanded full statehood for the national capital.
The Delhi Municipal Corporation (Amendment) Bill, which also provides for transfer of some powers to city government in overseeing functioning of the new bodies as well as giving approval to rules and by-laws framed by them, was passed through voice vote.
The passage of the bill came as BJP MLAs trooped to the well demanding statehood for Delhi. Amidst sloganeering, the bill was put to voice vote and declared passed.
ADVERTISEMENT
Earlier, replying to the debate on the issue, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit described the trifurcation as a “historic moment” and expressed hope that it will lead to improvement in civic amenities.
“The government could have split the MCD three years ago (when we returned to power). We did not do it then as there may be criticism that we did it because MCD was ruled by BJP.
Now we are doing it because the term of this MCD is getting over,” Ms. Dikshit said.
ADVERTISEMENT
Criticising the government for not taking adequate steps to get full statehood for Delhi, Leader of Opposition V K Malhotra said, “The trifurcation of MCD is for political reasons.”
Accepting a long-standing demand of Dikshit, the Home Ministry had last week approved the bill giving the go-ahead to Delhi government to trifurcate MCD ahead of civic polls in April next year.
After approval by the Assembly, the Bill will be sent to President Pratibha Patil for her assent.