With the Delhi government pushing for a split of the MCD, city Mayor Rajni Abbi today called on Union Home Minister P Chidambaram and expressed the civic body’s opposition to the proposed division which she argued will “weaken” the corporation.
She also demanded a CBI probe into alleged irregularities in the Commonwealth Games works as pointed out by the Shunglu Committee, apparently referring to the indictment of the Delhi government top brass by the panel.
Ms. Abbi told reporters later that Chidambaram assured her that all stakeholders will be consulted before taking a final decision on the MCD split.
“We have requested the Home Minister that before taking a decision, please consult us as we are stakeholders. He told us that he is yet to receive a formal proposal from the Delhi government in this regard. When that will come, we will be called for discussion. He said the stakeholders will be definitely consulted,” the Mayor said.
“We are opposed to the split as it is against the basic purpose of 73rd and 74th amendment of constitution which focuses on strengthening local bodies,” she said.
The Mayor said the division will “weaken” the corporation and put an additional burden of Rs 1,000 crore for developing more infrastructure, including new offices and Rs 1,000 crore for creating new posts of officials.
Ms. Abbi said they raised the demand for fixed salary for corporators who now get meeting allowances. “We also demanded that action should be taken on the basis of Shunglu Committee report on irregularities in Games works and a CBI probe,” she said.
