Delhi Lieutenant-Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on Wednesday invited suggestions from the public to improve the Municipal Corporation of Delhi's (MCD’s) poor financial health and also urged people to "honestly pay" their property taxes and dues to make the civic body financially stable.
The L-G said, between financial 2019-2020 and 2021-22, the MCD's total income was `31,861.81 crore, while the expenditure was `34,618.17 crore. Hence, the civic body's cash deficit stood at `2,756.32 crore.
The past financial mismanagement and non-payment of property taxes by most residents have led to the current financial crisis, Saxena said on Twitter. "MCD services 94 per cent of Delhi. Past financial mismanagement & non payment of any property tax by 75 per cent residents has made it go in the RED. It's time we, one of richest cities in India, pay our dues to the MCD honestly. Your suggestions & participation will help achieve this," he tweeted. The L-G also urged the public to give suggestions at "mailto:writetolgdelhi@gmail.Com" \nwritetolgdelhi@gmail.Com to improve the civic body's financial health.
According to data shared by the LG, Delhi has 1,483 sq km area and MCD's jurisdiction extends to 94.2 per cent of its total area. Around 98 per cent of Delhi's total population resides in MCD areas.
The civic body's salaries, pension dues and other financial liabilities amount to ` 9,261.95 crore, the L-G said. This is the fifth time Saxena has invited suggestions from the people and sought public participation in solving people-centric issues.
Saxena has also launched the pilot project ‘Smart Model’ schools run by MCD with repair and painting works getting started, aimed at upgrading the corporation schools to highest standards.
According to the statement released by the L-G’s office, the work of upgradation in 25 such schools will be completed for the children of the Capital on August 15 in tandem with the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.
“Saxena also announced that another 400 schools will be fully refurbished and loaded with smart technologies till Republic Day 26th January, 2023,” it said.
“The LG on his first visit to civic body school in H-Block, Ashok Vihar on June 18, announced that 25 MCD schools will be identified at the earliest for re-hauling on a pilot basis.
The school in CP Block, Pitampura where the works of repair, painting and cleanliness were launched on Tuesday is spread over 7,000 Sqm,” it said. “Upon L-G’s direction, MCD schools have been allocated `14.85 crore for minor repair, painting, white-wash and Rs. 4.41 crore has been allocated to the Engineering Department to repair 29 worst affected buildings. The schools being overhauled and developed will also include efforts to involve NGOs and Corporate Houses under their CSR funds in a participatory manner,” it read.
“Provided with all modern infrastructure these schools will have uniform colour and design pattern and would make learning more interesting through smart teaching methodologies and pedagogy,” the statement further read.