SDMC LOP says civic body far from target, demands real figures

NEW DELHI: Leader of Opposition in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) Farhad Suri alleged that funds with several departments had remained unused. He pointed out the various promises the BJP had made in its Budget speech last year but had allegedly failed to fulfill.

“The Bjp-ruled SDMC has constantly been at loggerheads with the Delhi government over its global share on the basis of the 3rd financial Commission and keep demanding for the implementation of the 4th Finance Commission. The SDMC has miserably failed to utilise even the funds available with it and this has resulted in depriving citizens of the much-needed civic amenities,” he added.

He further said that SDMC has not cleared loan of Rs 500 crore to the government despite of claiming to be rich among the Corporations. “If we are financially strong, why have we not cleared the loans till date? Why are we paying interest on outstanding loans unnecessarily? Why are you paying 14 per cent on this loan?” he asked.

Expressing anguish over uncompleted projects, Suri said: “No one knows the fate of the Lajpat Nagar hospital till date. Even SDMC is in confusion that whether a hospital or a multi-level parking will be constructed at this place.”

Picking up holes in the Budget proposals for the current fiscal year, Suri pointed out several important fields in which funds are allotted but not utilised. He said that Budget allotted in important sectors are not fully utilised.

“The Budget for medicines and equipment is lying unused. A number of promises are made every year but never fulfilled such as Ghalib Pur Ayurvedic Aushdhalaya, Tilak Nagar Ayurvedic Aushdhalaya and construction of new buildings for medical stores.