The Capital’s struggling municipal corporations may get a shot in the arm after all, with the Delhi Government planning on introducing a crucial report that gives the civic bodies a greater share of funds in the next Assembly session.
The report of the Fourth Delhi Finance Commission, which was set up in 2009 to restructure the sharing of taxes, duties, tolls and fees between the civic bodies and the government, has been pending with the State government since 2013.
The BJP-led municipal corporations, which have been undergoing a financial crisis, had accused the erstwhile Congress Government in 2013 and the Aam Aadmi Party of deliberately not tabling the report.
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But, after meetings between the Mayors and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal this week, now it appears that the government will table the report in the upcoming winter session of the Assembly that begins on November 18.
The Mayors were called for a meeting with the Chief Minister on Friday to discuss the sanitation situation around the Capital.
“While talking, Mr. Kejriwal informed us that the government would table the report of the finance commission. We have been demanding this for years, so it would be a welcome step. But, it remains to be seen whether they accept the report as it is,” said South Delhi Municipal Corporation Mayor Subhash Arya.
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He added that the three corporations stood to get about Rs.5,000 to Rs.6,000 crore annually.
East Delhi Municipal Corporation Mayor Harsh Deep Malhotra, whose civic body is the worst-off, said the report recommends almost doubling the share of the corporations.
The BJP-led municipal corporations had accused the erstwhile Congress Government in 2013 and the AAP of deliberately not tabling the report