‘NDMC facing funds shortage’

New Delhi: Leader of Congress in North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) Mukesh Goel on Saturday said that development works were stalled in the municipal wards because of lack of funds and councillors have to face tough questions from citizens in their respective wards.

Mr Goel alleged that the ruling party in the corporation, BJP, makes tall promises to garner headlines, but has badly failed at delivering them.

“At the time of municipal election in 2017, BJP had promised that within two months of coming into power, the financial position of the corporation would improve. However, the situation has only worsened after six months. The corporation manages to disburse salaries to its employees on time with much difficulty. Councillors have not been provided with `25 lakh each for carrying on development and repair work in their municipal wards,” said Mr Goel.

According to him, the corporation in its budget proposals of 2017-18, had made provision of providing `1 crore each to councillors for development work, but no such funds have been provided so far.

“BJP promised to make Delhi garbage-free within two months of coming into power, but such promises have remained unfulfilled. The corporation has failed at managing solid waste, stray monkeys and dogs. The corporation’s schools suffer due to poor infrastructure,” added Mr Goel.

He pointed out that it has been six months since BJP came into power, but Delhi is yet to become garbage-free or well lit-up as promised by the party.

“On the contrary, the financial condition of the corporation has gone worse. Broken roads and footpaths are evident everywhere in Delhi and stray dogs have become a menace. Stormwater drains in many areas are clogged because of silt and cases of dengue and chikungunya refuse to subside,” he said.