LoP Iqbal criticises AAP for flouting Corporation Act

Raja Iqbal Singh, Leader of the Opposition in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), welcomed the proposal by MC Commissioner Ashwani Kumar to present the revised budget estimate for 2024-25 and budget estimate for 2025-26 in the House without imposing any new taxes.

However, Singh also criticised the AAP-led government for failing to form the necessary standing committee, which, he argued, has hindered the corporation’s ability to function effectively.

Singh pointed out that according to the Corporation Act, the budget must be presented to the Standing Committee before December 10. Despite the selection of all members for the committee, the AAP government failed to form it, which led to the budget being presented directly to the House with the approval of L-G VK Saxena.

Singh claimed that delay in the formation of the committee affected development works in Delhi by nearly a decade. “The AAP government has repeatedly flouted the Corporation Act,” Singh said.

“The AAP government neither formed ad hoc and special committees, nor established the Medical Education and Rural Committee. As a result, the budget had to be presented directly to the House, bypassing the standing committee. This means ward committees and medical committees will not be able to discuss the budget or address local issues.”

Singh said traditionally, ward committees send proposals to the standing committee, which then allocates necessary funds to address the specific problems of each area. However, with the absence of these committees, he claimed that the people’s concerns would remain unaddressed.

The LoP also criticised the AAP government for ignoring public opinion following its loss in the Assembly elections. He accused AAP councillors of failing to fulfil their duties, with some even defecting to the BJP, believing it would better serve the interests of the people.

“Once the BJP gets the opportunity to serve in the corporation, we will ensure that the problems of people are solved,” Singh added.

Singh called for the immediate formation of ad-hoc and special committees from ward committees, stressing that even some AAP councillors supported the formation of these committees but were unable to speak out due to party pressure.