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Education and health get big boost in Rs 17,266-crore MCD budget

February 14, 2025, 1:15 am

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) Commissioner Ashwini Kumar on Thursday presented an estimated budget of Rs 17,266 crore for the financial year 2025-26 during a special budget meeting, as per a press release.
The revised budget estimate for 2024-25 was also tabled for discussion before final approval today.

During the special budget meeting, Commissioner Ashwini Kumar outlined key allocations across various sectors. As per the proposed budget, the education sector has been allocated Rs 1,693.73 crore, while the healthcare sector is set to receive Rs 1,833.51 crore. Additionally, Rs 393.26 crore has been earmarked for the horticulture department, reflecting the corporation’s commitment to enhancing green spaces and urban landscaping across Delhi.

Highlighting key initiatives, the Commissioner emphasised waste management efforts, stating that Delhi generates approximately 6,000 tonnes of construction waste daily.
To tackle this, MCD has set up plants with a total capacity of 5,000 tonnes at Bakkarwala, Ranikhera, Shastri Park, and Burari, with another plant under construction in Tehkhand.

“Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has given 47.348 acres of land to the corporation, out of which an engineering landfill site has been set up on 32.346 acres of land in March 2024. At this place, ash from Tehkhand, Okhla and other power plants is being disposed of.” “The plants process 6,550 TPD of waste to produce electricity. Apart from this, there is also a proposal to start the work of setting up a waste-to-energy plant of 3600 TPD capacity in Narela-Bawana and a waste-to-energy plant of three thousand TPD capacity is planned to be set up in Ghazipur,” read the statement.
Additionally, bio-methanisation plants, with a capacity to process 200 metric tonnes of organic waste daily, are expected to be operational by March 2025, as per the release. In the sanitation sector, Kumar noted that MCD has regularised 4,553 sanitation workers and established 308 EV charging stations, with plans to introduce 262 more.

Mayor Conducts Late Night Inspection To Review Cleanliness Measures

October 2, 2024, 5:22 am

Delhi Mayor Dr. Shelly Oberoi conducted a late-night inspection of Ward 74, Chandni Chowk, to review the cleanliness and sanitation measures carried out by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). Accompanied by senior MCD officials, she assessed the area’s hygiene and engaged with local shopkeepers and residents to gather their feedback.
During the inspection, the Mayor highlighted that the MCD has introduced nighttime cleaning operations in addition to the regular daytime routine to ensure a cleaner and healthier environment for the community. This initiative is aimed at preserving the cultural and historical significance of Chandni Chowk, one of Delhi’s most prominent markets.

Dr. Oberoi inspected various areas from Lal Quila to Fatehpuri, finding the overall cleanliness satisfactory. However, she instructed MCD officials to further improve sanitation, underscoring her commitment to safeguarding the city’s cultural heritage. She also reiterated the commitment to fulfilling the 10 guarantees promised by Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal, with a particular focus on making Delhi cleaner and more beautiful. The enhanced cleaning efforts in Chandni Chowk are a part of this vision.
The Mayor emphasized that the nighttime cleaning initiative will involve dedicated teams and mechanized equipment to enhance sanitation.

BJP Wins Polls Held For Lone Vacant Slot In MCD Panel

September 28, 2024, 1:21 am

The BJP won the last vacant seat of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi’s 18-member Standing Committee unopposed on Friday as the councillors of the ruling AAP and Congress boycotted the election. The election for the 18-member Standing Committee took place in the absence of Delhi Mayor Dr. Shelly Oberoi, following an order from Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinay Kumar Saxena.

The BJP now has 10 members in the panel while the ruling AAP has only eight. This means the BJP will have more say in approving proposals in the panel. Despite objections from AAP, the election for the lone vacant seat on the Standing Committee proceeded at the MCD House in Delhi. Additional Commissioner Jitendra Yadav acted as the Presiding Officer in the absence of the Mayor and Deputy Mayor.

In the voting, BJP candidate Sunder Singh received 115 votes, while AAP candidate Nirmala Kumari received none. The qualifying quota was 58 votes, making Sunder Singh the newly elected 18th member of the Standing Committee. The vacancy arose following the resignation of Kamaljeet Sehrawat, who was elected as a Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha).

Delhi Mayor Shelly Oberoi had previously directed the MCD Commissioner to hold the election for the sixth member of the Standing Committee on October 5. She expressed concerns over the MCD Commissioner’s recent order scheduling the election for September 27, calling it illegal and unconstitutional. The Mayor emphasised that the Lieutenant Governor should not have the power to interfere in the House’s functioning and claimed she was forced to adjourn the House until October 5. She questioned the BJP’s motives in pushing for the election earlier than scheduled, deeming the move inappropriate.
The Standing Committee is a key statutory body responsible for making major decisions regarding financial matters, policy implementation, and other critical issues. As one of the most influential entities within the MCD, the 18-member committee controls the corporation’s financial resources.

Mayor postpones Standing Committee Election Till Oct 5

September 27, 2024, 3:48 am

Delhi Mayor Dr. Shelly Oberoi has postponed the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) House meeting to October 5, following chaos over the decision to ban mobile phones in the House ahead of the election process. This decision also led to the postponement of the election for the 18th member of the Standing Committee, which was scheduled for today. The opposition BJP, however, claims the postponement was due to the Mayor’s fear of losing the election.

The commotion began when councillors were prohibited from bringing mobile phones into the House before the election. AAP councillors objected when Delhi Police officials attempted to enforce the ban, staging a protest and refusing to enter. In response, the Mayor ordered that councillors be allowed in without checks and briefly adjourned the session for 15 minutes. MCD Commissioner Ashwani Kumar explained the decision was made to ensure ballot secrecy. After returning, Mayor Oberoi noted that the ban on mobile phones was a first-time measure and expressed frustration that her orders were not being followed. She adjourned the session again, and ultimately postponed the meeting until October 5, citing concerns over the lack of compliance with her directives.
Meanwhile, Outside the Municipal House, AAP councillors protested, demanding to be allowed in without being searched. However, Municipal Secretary Shiva Prasad KV clarified that, under rule 51(5) of the DMC Act, mobile phones are prohibited in the House to maintain voting secrecy. He added that phones would only be allowed after voting was complete.

On the other hand, BJP councillors staged a protest outside the Mayor’s office, demanding the completion of the Standing Committee election. BJP councillor Yogesh Verma from Keshavpuram spoke to The Daily Guardian and accused the Mayor of adjourning the session out of fear of losing the election. He added that BJP members plan to meet with Delhi Lt. Governor Vinay Saxena to request his intervention, as the delay in the Standing Committee elections has stalled numerous projects, resulting in difficulties for the residents of Delhi.

MCD Launches Special Drive To Control Mosquito Breeding

September 4, 2024, 4:33 am

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has initiated a special drive aimed at preventing
mosquito breeding in hospitals and health centres to combat vector-borne diseases such as dengue, malaria, and chikungunya. This effort involves inspecting both MCD and Delhi
Government hospitals and health centres to identify and eliminate mosquito breeding
sites.

Throughout the drive, the MCD inspected 711 hospitals and health centres and discovered mosquito breeding sites in 182 of them. The breeding sites were promptly addressed, leading the MCD to issue 82 legal notices and initiate 33 prosecutions against the responsible authorities. These decisive actions underscore the seriousness with which the MCD is addressing the issue and its commitment to preventing the spread of vector-borne
diseases.

An MCD official explained that the main objective of this special drive is to prevent water
stagnation, which creates an ideal breeding ground for Aedes and Anopheles mosquitoes—
carriers of diseases like dengue, malaria, and chikungunya. Stagnant water, often found in containers such as drums, coolers, flower pots, and other household or institutional items, can quickly become a breeding site for these diseasetransmitting mosquitoes.

The MCD emphasises the need for rigorous preventive measures to effectively combat this issue. Hospital and health centre administrators have been specifically advised
to take immediate and sustained actions to eliminate any potential breeding sites within their facilities. This includes regularly inspecting and emptying containers that might collect water and maintaining a clean environment free of stagnant water. These measures are
essential for ensuring a safe and healthy environment for both patients and healthcare
staff.

The MCD official further stressed that the corporation is committed to adopting proactive strategies to protect Delhi residents from the threat of vector-borne diseases.

SC Rules in Favor of Delhi LG’s Authority to Appoint Aldermen, Rejects AAP Plea

August 5, 2024, 11:26 am

On Monday, the Supreme Court ruled that the Lieutenant Governor (L-G) of Delhi has the authority to appoint ten aldermen to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) without needing the state cabinet’s approval. This decision is a setback for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led Delhi government.

The ruling was delivered by Justice PS Narasimha, with Chief Justice Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud and Justice JB Pardiwala also on the bench. Justice Narasimha stated that appointing aldermen is a “statutory duty” of the L-G, who does not need to consult the state cabinet for this.

The court explained that according to Section 3(3)(b)(i) of the Delhi Municipal Corporation (DMC) Act, as amended in 1993, the L-G has the power to appoint aldermen. This power is not considered an outdated practice or an overreach of constitutional authority.

The Supreme Court had earlier warned that giving the L-G this power could potentially disrupt the democratically elected MCD. The MCD includes 250 elected members and 10 nominated aldermen. The court had expressed concerns that allowing the L-G to nominate aldermen could destabilize the elected MCD by giving the L-G too much influence.

In the December 2022 civic elections, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) won control of the MCD by securing 134 wards, ending the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) 15-year dominance. The BJP won 104 seats, while Congress took nine.

Senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi argued that aldermen nominations should follow the city government’s advice, a practice that has been in place for 30 years. However, additional solicitor general Sanjay Jain argued that this long-standing practice does not make it the correct approach.

Drishti IAS Founder Vikas Divyakirti Claims He’s Being Used As A Scapegoat After Coaching Center Tragedy

July 30, 2024, 11:36 pm

New Delhi, July 30, 2024: Vikas Divyakirti, founder of Drishti IAS, has spoken out following the sealing of his institute by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) in the wake of the tragic drowning deaths of three students at Rau’s IAS Study Circle. He claims that he is being unfairly targeted as a scapegoat.

Allegations of Scapegoating:
In an interview with ANI, Divyakirti stated, “I am being targeted because everyone wants a scapegoat in such cases. It makes things easier for the administration, and even society feels they have found someone to blame. The students are understandably upset and asking why I did not stand by them.”

Tragic Incident Details:
The tragedy occurred on July 27, 2024, when Shreya Yadav, Tanya Soni, and Nevin Dalwin drowned in the basement of Rau’s IAS Study Circle in Old Rajinder Nagar. Divyakirti expressed deep sorrow over the incident, saying, “I often think about the suffering those children must have endured.”

Crackdown and Compliance Issues:
Following the incident, the MCD sealed the basement of Drishti IAS among other institutes. Divyakirti defended his institute, noting, “We submitted the complete layout structure of the basement to the MCD, DDA, and fire department for NOC, and there were no rejections. Despite this, the tragedy suggests there was carelessness.”

Future Plans and Assurances:
Divyakirti assured that even if future permissions are granted, Drishti IAS will not operate in a basement. He emphasized, “We will not run any coaching institute in a basement going forward. This is a commitment to ensure safety and compliance.”

Divyakirti’s comments come amid ongoing protests from students and heightened scrutiny of coaching centers in Delhi following the fatal incident.

MCD Crackdown: 13 Basements Sealed In Delhi | Top Updates

July 29, 2024, 8:21 am

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) sealed the basements of 13 civil services institutes in the Old Rajinder Nagar area on Sunday, following the deaths of three civil services aspirants. These aspirants died after a library in the basement of Rau’s IAS centre was inundated during heavy rainfall. A civic body team arrived in Old Rajinder Nagar to seal the illegally operated basements of various coaching centres, as stated by the Delhi government.

The MCD’s action against properties violating building bylaws followed massive student protests in Old Rajendra Nagar on Saturday night and Sunday. Shreya Yadav from Ambedkar Nagar in Uttar Pradesh, Tanya Soni from Telangana, and Navin Dalwin from Ernakulam in Kerala lost their lives when the basement of Rau’s IAS Study Circle flooded after heavy rain on Saturday evening.

An initial investigation into the incident revealed a lack of drainage system and safety measures, and the use of the basement for commercial activities in violation of norms, which led to the death of the three aspirants.

Delhi’s Coaching Centre Deaths: Top Updates

On Sunday, Delhi Police arrested Abhishek Gupta, the owner, and Deshpal Singh, the coordinator of Rau’s IAS Study Circle, charging them with culpable homicide and other offenses.
The MCD sealed the basements of IAS Gurukul, Chahal Academy, Plutus Academy, Sai Trading, IAS Setu, Topper’s Academy, Dainik Samvad, Civils Daily IAS, Career Power, 99 Notes, Vidya Guru, Guidance IAS, and Easy for IAS by Sunday night.
An FIR was registered at Rajinder Nagar police station under sections 105 (culpable homicide) and 290 (negligent conduct with respect to pulling down, repairing, or constructing buildings), among others, of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
According to the FIR, Abhishek Gupta admitted there was no drainage system in the basement of Rau’s IAS coaching centre, leading to the death of three aspirants, as reported by PTI.
A senior official involved in the investigation indicated that the incident was caused by the failure of civic authorities to clear the roadside drain before the monsoon and the lack of a drainage system in the basement, which was illegally used as a library. Multiple police teams have been formed to investigate the actual cause.
More than 35 people, including students and coaching centre staff, were trapped on Saturday evening when water began flooding the basement during heavy rain, according to a police officer.
Hundreds of civil services aspirants protested in Old Rajinder Nagar and Karol Bagh Metro Station areas, demanding justice. Protesters blocked the road near Karol Bagh Metro Station, causing traffic jams and prompting police intervention.
According to the MCD, the coaching centre’s building plan was approved in 2021. An MCD official stated that the building completion certificate specified the basement could only be used for parking and storage, indicating the library was operating illegally.
The Congress called for accountability over the deaths, with Rahul Gandhi asserting that “common people are paying the price for ‘irresponsibility of institutions’ at every level.” The BJP demanded criminal charges against responsible officers and the resignation of water minister Atishi and local AAP MLA Durgesh Pathak for the deaths.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) called for a crackdown on illegal commercial operations in basements across Delhi. Senior AAP leader and MCD in-charge Pathak condemned the practice as criminal and warned that without intervention, future incidents are inevitable.

MCD Boosts Voter Turnout with Discounts at Eateries, Shops

April 23, 2024, 11:01 pm

To boost voter turnout in the Lok Sabha elections, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has implemented several initiatives, such as providing enticing discounts at various restaurants and markets.

The Chandni Chowk Sarv Vyapar Mandal, for instance, is offering a 10% discount to shoppers who show proof of voting on May 25, the polling day for the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi. This special discount can be redeemed on May 27, a few days after the polling concludes.

Likewise, Vyapar Mandal at C-4-E Janakpuri Market is joining the effort to promote voter awareness and boost participation in the upcoming elections. They have announced that voters will receive a 5% discount on their purchases at the market as a token of appreciation for exercising their right to vote.

Numerous commercial establishments in the West Delhi zone are offering discounts to their customers, ranging from 10 per cent to 20 per cent, as an incentive for voting in the upcoming general elections.

Restaurants affiliated with the NRAI (National Restaurant Association of India) have likewise declared a 20 per cent discount for voters who present their IDs and display their inked finger.

Likewise, the management of Select City Walk Mall, Saket, has urged the commercial establishments within its premises to provide discounts to visitors who vote. Additionally, several establishments in the Keshavpuram zone have joined the initiative to boost voter turnout in the national capital this year. They are offering discounts of 20-30% to voters on their purchases.

Radisson Blu Hotel in the Dwarka area of Najafgarh Zone has declared that voters will be eligible to receive a 50 per cent discount on lunch buffet and a 30 per cent discount on dinner buffet on May 25, the day of polling for seven Lok Sabha seats in the national capital.

SC notice to L-G on Delhi govt’s plea against appointment of aldermen in MCD

March 29, 2023, 6:46 pm

The Supreme Court issued a notice to Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena on Wednesday in response to the Delhi government’s petition challenging the L-appointment G’s of ‘aldermen’ in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) house.

The matter was scheduled for hearing on April 10 by a bench consisting of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, Justices PS Narasimha and JB Pardiwala. Following the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) victory in the municipal elections, the Lieutenant Governor appointed ten aldermen who were opposed by the Delhi government.

The Delhi government petitioned for the revocation of the orders dated January 3 and 4, by which the Lieutenant Governor nominated ten people to the MCD.

According to the petition, the Lieutenant Governor “illegally” appointed 10 nominated members to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi on his own initiative, rather than with the assistance and advice of the Council of Ministers.

According to the Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government, this is the first time since Article 239AA went into effect in 1991 that such a nomination has been made by the Lieutenant Governor completely bypassing the elected government, thereby arrogating to an unelected office power that belongs to the duly elected government.

It sought a directive “to nominate members to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi under Section 3(3)(b)(i) of the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, 1957, with the assistance and advice of the Council of Ministers.”