’Three’ cheers for MCD!

Delhi cabinet sanctions splitting of the civic agency

'Three' cheers for MCD!

Delhi cabinet sanctions splitting of the civic agency

The Delhi government Monday decided to split the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) into three smaller units while retaining the number of wards at the existing total of 272.

Speaking to reporters, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said: "The cabinet has taken the decision to ensure smooth functioning of the MCD. Before finalising the decision to split the civic body, we had consulted several other top party leaders."

Dikshit said a four-member committee has been appointed to finalise the setting up of the new units. After that, a proposal will be sent to the union home ministry for approval.

The members of the committee are: D.M. Spolia, finance secretary; M.M. Kutty, principal secretary to the chief minister; S.P. Garg, law secretary; and R.K. Srivastava, urban development secretary. "The committee will be submitting its report in three-four days," Diskhit told reporters. According to sources, the cabinet decision came after Dikshit met Congress chief Sonia Gandhi on the division of the MCD.

Dikshit described the split as a step forward in the direction of efficient and responsive municipal administration in the national capital. The MCD is proposed to be split into three zones - north, south and east. People living in west Delhi will come under the south zone civic agency. "It has been decided to restructure the present MCD into three separate corporations, there will be a separate municipal authority for east, south and north in the capital. This set-up will streamline the delivery of services by the municipal bodies more efficiently," she added.