Refusing to disburse any funds, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal alleged “massive corruption” in the functioning of the East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC) on Thursday as he sought to know where the funds released by his Government to the civic body were being spent.
EDMC Mayor Neema Bhagat met the Chief Minister seeking release of funds, which she claimed is “pending” to the civic body. During the meeting, Kejriwal said the Delhi Government has, till now, released all funds to the MCDs which were supposed to be provided under the existing Delhi State Finance Commission.
“After listening to the Mayor’s demands, the Chief Minister said that he has seen the accounts of the EDMC and there is a massive corruption,” a senior Government official said. “Kejriwal said the EDMC must do away with corruption to make it financially stable,” the official said. During the meeting, Kejriwal also sought to know why the sanitation staff were not paid salaries despite the fact that the Government has released all funds due to the EDMC, the official said.
“Where is all the money goingIJ Why are the sanitation staff not being paid salaries regularlyIJ Where is the money being given to MCDs by the Delhi Government for salaries goingIJ” the CM questioned. “EDMC is plagued by parking mafia, advertising/hoarding mafia. Illegal hoardings and illegal parking must be done away with, which will in turn increase the revenue of MCDs manifold, the Chief Minister told the Mayor of East MCD,” said a statement from the Government.
Asserting that the EDMC has many sources of income, but because of corruption its finances are in a mess, the Chief Minister said illegal hoardings and illegal parking must be curbed, which will increase the revenue of the civic bodies manifold. Recently, mayors of North and South Delhi Municipal Corporations also met the Chief Minister seeking release of funds which they claimed were due to the respective civic bodies from the Delhi Government.
However, EDMC Mayor Neema Bhagat said that the Chief Minister did not assure anything but asked us to approach the lieutenant Governor. The Mayor said that she would also like to accompany the CM to the lieutenant Governor and would demand the amount due to EDMC according to the 4th Delhi Finance Commission recommendations.
“The Corporation is facing financial crunch and unable to pay salaries to employees. Our revenue is very less while expenditure is more. Since 2012-13 a total amount of Rs 9845.07 crore is due towards Delhi Government. Around the world the local bodies have revenue and expenditure deficit in the ratio of 1:4 and our corporation is not exception to it,” the Mayor added.