Board wants more funds for development

THE BOARD HAS SOUGHT AT LEAST ₹10 CRORE FOR EACH OF THE 16 ASSEMBLY CONSTITUENCIES

Arguing that the agency requires more funds to ensure better infrastructure development, the Trans Yamuna Area Development Board (TYDAB) has sought a substantial increase in its budget size.

The board, under the urban development department, passed its agenda, demanding at least ₹10 crore for each of the 16 assembly constituencies, which fall under the TYDAB.

“The member legislators argued that the funds under the MLALAD are not sufficient for development in their areas. More funds for development could be roped in through TYDAB. Therefore, the board adopted an agenda proposing sanction of at least ₹10 crore development funds for each constituency. The proposal would now go to the finance department for approval,” said an official.

Each legislator gets ₹4 crore under MLALAD per annum. The trans Yamuna areas are dominated by unauthorised colonies and slum clusters, and the amount was not sufficient for basic infrastructure development.

The board was formed in 1994 by the Delhi Government, with an aim to promote infrastructure development and planned growth in trans Yamuna localities. Sixteen assembly constituencies fall in the trans Yamuna area. Member of Parliament from East Delhi and North East Delhi, besides chairman of the ward committee of the EDMC are also the members of the board.

The board has seen its own share of political controversies, with the East Delhi Municipal Corporation demanding scrapping of the board as it ‘lost relevance’ after trifurcation of the MCD.

In 2013, during its first stint in power, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government disbanded the board.

The board was, however, reconstituted by the Arvind Kejriwal government in July 2015, and appointed party legislator Fateh Singh as the chairman. The members of the board have been repeatedly demanding increase of funds after its reconstitution, but nothing much has moved on that front. HTC