In order to speed up various developmental projects related to sanitation, health, urban development and education, Mayors of all three municipal corporations on Monday called on Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and apprised him about the financial crisis being faced by the corporations, which is badly affecting its functioning, a senior South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) official said.
Addressing media persons, Mayor of North corporation Adesh Gupta stressed upon the need to immediate release of pending plan funds by the Delhi Government due as per recommendations of the 3rd and 4th 'Delhi Finance Commissions'. He said the Chief Minister patiently listened to them and sought 7 to 10 days to discuss the matter with the officials.
Gupta said the liability of the north corporation in respect of monthly salary and pension comes to Rs 295 crore. As the funds are not
being released by the State Government, the corporation has not been able to release salary to its employees regularly, he said.
He added that an amount of Rs 372 crore in respect of 'Municipal Reform Fund' (MRF) for the year 2013-14, 2014-15 and 2015-16 has also not been released. He also demanded an allocation of Rs. 1202 cr under urban development and transport sector to carry out conservancy, sanitation and other related works.
Gupta stated that the Delhi Government has yet to release an amount of Rs 1431 crore as per the recommendations of the 'Delhi Finance Commission'.
Mayor of South Delhi Narender Chawla stated that the SDMC is being denied the due amount under urban development, transport, education and health sectors for all these years. He said only an amount of Rs 137.60 crore has been released till the first quarter of 2018-19 against an annual budget proposal of Rs 1579.19 crore.
Elaborating it further, he said not even a single rupee has been released or even allotted under urban development and transport sectors.
The SDMC demanded an allocation of minimum 505 crore for 2018-19 under various heads including sanitation, improving facilities in JJ colonies, community centers and development of roads.
Mayor of East Delhi Bipin Bihari Singh said there is a dire need of Rs 124 crore for clearing the backlog of gratuity and commutation claims till March 2018. He also stated that the EDMC should be given Rs 1005 crore due in respect of recommendations of the 4th finance commission.