Eye on MCD elections, CM targets civic body

NEW DELHI: With an eye on the municipal polls slated for early 2012 and in an attempt to deflect attention from the ongoing probes and issues related to inflation, chief minister Sheila Dikshit has yet again put the "inefficiency" of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi on centrestage. For the first time a political committee has been set up to study how the "leviathan" can be split into manageable municipalities. The committee has been asked to report back within 20-30 days.
The CM emphasised on her earlier proposition seeking a trifurcation of MCD. She has now set up a political committee and put on its panel not only three of her cabinet ministers, but also the leader of the opposition, VK Malhotra, and a senior MLA. MCD is currently led by BJP and the CM's move to constitute a political committee with BJP on board aims at proving that the civic body is indeed an inefficient organisation.
"It (MCD) is a leviathan," the CM said as she emerged from the cabinet meeting on Monday. Steering clear of a question about this committee being yet another attempt on her part to clip the wings of the BJP-led MCD and bringing the municipal body under the state control, the CM said, "What we want is a more efficient Delhi." She further said that the current situation is a mess. "MCD controls 97% of the city. Much of its inefficiency is because of its lack of coordination. We are tired of it," she added.
On why the committee was being set up all of a sudden, she chose to put the onus on the BJP. "I have been contacted by leader of the opposition from BJP, Vijay Kumar Malhotra, nearly 10 times on the phone on the MCD issue. They (BJP) have been pointing out that the MCD is too large and something needs to be done to streamline its functioning," the CM added. The state government will be officially writing to Malhotra to participate in the proceedings of the committee. The committee will be led by urban development minister AK Walia.
The committee is expected to study all recommendations of earlier administrative and expert committees constituted by the Union government in this regard. The CM proposes to approach the Centre with the committee's report to yet again reiterate her demand for splitting the MCD. The civic body comes under the purview of the home ministry and any change would require the Centre's intervention and an amendment to the existing DMC Act of 1957. This is a time-consuming task. However, the state government is aiming for some change in the structure before the MCD polls in 2012.
Meanwhile, Delhi BJP chief Vijender Gupta labeled the committee as an eyewash and an attempt by the CM to shift focus from the shortcomings of her government. "Splitting MCD is not a solution. It will not be financially viable. This is a very complex issue that requires involvement of experts," Gupta pointed. Meanwhile, Malhotra claimed he was not contacted or informed about the formation of any such committee.