Legislators corner BJP on MLA-LAD funds

After the AAP legislators alleged that the BJP-led municipal corporations are not utilising their MLA-LAD funds, Delhi Assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel on Thursday summoned commissioners of all the three MCDs to appear before him on March 14.

During a discussion with the Speaker, AAP MLAs termed this as a “conspiracy” by the BJP ahead of civic polls to be held next month. However, Opposition leader Vijender Gupta opposed the discussion terming it as “politically motivated” and staged a walkout from the Assembly.

There are three municipal corporations — East, North and South — which are being ruled by the BJP for around 10 years. “I have called all the three commissioners on March 14. I request the MLAs to give me their written complaints so that their issues

Delhi Assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel has summoned commissioners of all the three MCDs to appear before him on March 14

can be addressed in the meeting,” Mr Goel told the House after the discussion which lasted for one-and-ahalf hours.

Rohtas Nagar MLA Sarita Singh alleged that she had given `7 crore to the EDMC under her MLA Local Area Development (LAD) fund two years back, but the civic body has not taken up any work in her constituency.

“People ask us about development works in their areas. Work on street lights, construction of roads have come to a halt. No work is being done through MLA LAD fund. Ahead of the municipal elections, it is conspiracy against AAP MLAs to defame us and give a wrong message among the masses that we are not working,” Ms Singh alleged.

She demanded that the MCD, which is an executive agency to carry out development works through MLA-LAD funds in Delhi, should be replaced with a new agency.

Another MLA Somnath Bharti alleged that officers working with the MCDs have been directed not to accompany AAP legislators when they are on road in their constituencies.