Cong accuses MCD of slashing funds in key sectors, shutting crucial municipal schemes
The Congress on Monday accused the AAP-led Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) of financial mismanagement, alleging that crucial municipal schemes have been shut down and funds slashed in key sectors. The allegations were made during a discussion on MCD’s Rs 17,000-crore Budget presented last month.
Congress councillor Nazia Danish criticised the AAP government for presenting a misleading financial picture of the civic body and questioned its governance and transparency.
She pointed out that in the 2019-20 fiscal, the Delhi government had allocated Rs 202.40 crore for urban development. However, shortly after, it abruptly discontinued 11 key municipal projects, affecting urban villages, unauthorised and authorised colonies, parks, gardens, community buildings and dhobi ghats.
Danish claimed that areas such as Narela, Najafgarh and high-rise townships were hit hard by the discontinuation of projects worth Rs 110 crore, causing significant inconvenience to residents. She further alleged that in 2021, the Delhi government stopped transport-related funds to the MCD, impacting urban mobility projects.
The Congress councillor also raised concerns over the state of MCD-run schools, demanding improved infrastructure, hiring of trained teachers and provision for essential academic resources such as books and computers. She stressed the need for better school buildings, classrooms and sanitation facilities to ensure quality education.
On environmental issues, Danish called for regular water sprinkling to control dust pollution, strict action against burning of waste, expansion of green belts and an increase in electric vehicles to tackle Delhi’s deteriorating air quality. She also advocated for improved drainage systems, Yamuna cleaning initiatives and additional water treatment plants.
Addressing healthcare concerns, Danish said during the Congress government’s tenure from 1998 to 2013, he MCD received significant financial support for medical services. However, she alleged that over the past decade, under the AAP’s rule, funding for MCD-run hospitals and dispensaries had drastically declined, impacting medical services.
She urged the government to increase the number of doctors and nurses, ensure adequate availability of medicines and equipment and introduce telemedicine services along with an online appointment system. Additionally, she proposed developing digital health records, launching an online medical consultation portal, strengthening Anganwadi centres and conducting free health check-up camps and vaccination drives for pregnant women and newborns.
The Congress leader also highlighted the need for regular waste management and disease prevention campaigns across Delhi.
