AAP councillors clash with BJP members at Standing Committee meet

A political row erupted during the Municipal Corporation of Delhi’s (MCD) Standing Committee meeting on Wednesday as AAP councillors clashed with BJP members over the alleged deployment of MCD employees, including teachers, at the Prime Minister’s event on Sunday.

Leader of Opposition Ankush Narang alleged that the MCD staff were compelled to attend the programme and cited a circular mandating their presence. He further claimed that buses and coordinators were arranged to ensure teachers’ participation.

However, Standing Committee chairperson Satya Sharma dismissed the charge, challenging the opposition to produce such a circular. “Everyone is allowed to attend the PM’s event since he is everyone’s Pradhan Mantri,” she said, terming the allegations as baseless.

Despite the ruckus, the committee proceeded to take up crucial issues related to sanitation, education and public safety. Directions were issued to officials for stricter monitoring of public toilets, simplified approval of building construction plans, inspections of MCD swimming pools and action against illegal spa centres. The committee also called for urgent steps to address the shortage of teachers, repair dilapidated school buildings and penalise concessionaires negligent in waste collection.

In a significant decision, the committee approved a proposal to open MCD’s 278 community halls — of which 122 are currently lying vacant or underutilised — for skill development and vocational training between 3 pm and 8 pm. Sharma said the move would benefit local youth and women by providing employment-oriented opportunities.

Chairperson Sharma stressed that MCD’s responsibility extended beyond waste management to ensuring civic facilities, education and a safe environment. She warned officials against negligence, directing them to respond promptly to councillors’ concerns.