There was bedlam in the North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NMC) on Tuesday as the Opposition Congress lodged a strong protest demanding immediate release of salaries and pensions, and stalled the corporation’s House meet.
Congressmen blamed the ruling BJP for spiralling crisis. On Monday, the Opposition leaders of East MCD forced the BJP to adjourn the House citing that the corporation is inching closer to bankruptcy in the near future.
Mukesh Goel, leader of Opposition of NMC, said that the Congress will not allow the House to proceed till the time BJP announces the release of salaries and pensions.
“We will not let the House work. The BJP has deteriorated the condition of the civic agency, so much so that it is nearing bankruptcy,” Goel said. Congressmen raised slogans, stalled the House and demanded the resignation of the House panel.
“How can one survive with less income and more expenditureIJ The corporation’s condition is similar to that. Instead of squandering funds on vehicle upkeep, NMC can pay the wages of employees and pensioners,” he added.
The councillors of MCD also threatened to disrupt House proceedings if money was not released by March-end. The ruling BJP, which is in under pressure due to unprecedented delay of pension as well as salary, assured of looking into the matter.
Thousands of Delhi Youth Congress workers were lathicharged and peppered with teargas while protesting the resumption of monthly pension to senior citizens, widows and the differently-abled.
The officials of NMC said that the corporation is mired in fund crunch and therefore, had demanded release of funds from the Delhi Government. The three Mayors of the municipal corporation held a meeting with the Delhi Chief Minister who turned down their request asking them instead to seek the Finance Ministry’s help for funds.