NEW DELHI: LG VK Saxena on Wednesday urged chief minister Arvind Kejriwal to release Rs 383.74 crore owed by Delhi government to Municipal Corporation of Delhi under the plan head. It was claimed the funds were “unfairly withheld” by the urban development department. In a letter to the CM, Saxena said non-release of funds was adversely impacting public services provided by the civic body, causing inconvenience to the citizens of Delhi. According to the revised budget estimates, Delhi government should have released Rs 3,768.64 crore to the erstwhile east, north and south municipal corporations during the financial years 2020-21 and 2021-22 under the plan heads of urban development, education and health. The government, however, only released Rs 3,384.9 crore, which resulted in a shortfall of Rs 383.74 crore, the letter said. There was no immediate reaction available from the AAP government. Delhi government and BJP have been at loggerheads over the funding of the three erstwhile municipal corporations. While BJP had accused Delhi government of choking funds meant for the civic bodies, the elected dispensation maintained that it had always released the money on time. The three corporations merged into one following a notification of the ministry of home affairs in April this year. According to the LG’s letter, Delhi government should have provided Rs 2,380.36 crore under education, health and urban development heads in 2020-21 and Rs 1,388.28 crore in 2021-22, but the three civic bodies got only Rs 2,076.72 crore and Rs 1,308.18 crore, respectively. The grant meant under the three plan heads was essential for operation and development of infrastructure related to schools, hospitals, dispensaries, roads and footpaths, which impact the daily life of the citizens of Delhi, the letter mentioned. “It need not be emphasised that the above budget estimates were voted for and approved by the Delhi Legislative Assembly and it was incumbent upon the urban development department to timely release the funds to MCD,” said the LG in his letter, adding that money was not released despite several requests. The LG further stated, “In the larger interest of the citizens of Delhi, I will request you to ensure that Rs 383.74 crore for the financial years 2020-21 and 2021-22 unfairly withheld by the urban development department is made available to MCD at the earliest.”
Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/lg-urges-cm-to-release-rs-384cr-owed-to-mcd/articleshow/94060431.cms