Delhi Mayors approach Rajnath Singh for release of funds by AAP government

NEW DELHI: Delhi mayors today met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and sought his "intervention" in getting their "rightful" share of funds under Delhi Finance Commission ( DFC) recommendations from the AAP government.

The delegation led by Delhi BJP chief Satish Upadhyay and comprising mayors Subhash Arya (South), Harshdeep Malhotra (East) and Ravinder Gupta (East) urged Singh to take cognizance of "unconstitutional" ways of the Delhi government.

The mayors apprised the Home Minister of the prevailing situtation due to strike by sanitation workers and asked him to ensure that Delhi government releases "around Rs 3,000 crore under 3rd DFC and implements 4th DFC without further delay", said East Delhi mayor Harshdeep Malhotra.

The 30-minute meeting was also attended by "secretaries of the Home ministry who were instructed by Singh to talk to top officials of Delhi government including Director Local Bodies to resolve the issues," he added.

"Delhi government has indulged in a lot of unconstitutional activities since it came to power which include depriving constitutional rights of the municipal corporations and bypassing the authority of Lt Governor in its business," Upadhyay alleged.

"We urged the Home Minister that the Centre should take cognizance of unconstitutional ways of the government. He directed Home ministry secretaries including the UT Secretary to take up these matters with Delhi government," Upadhyay claimed.

BJP legislator and Leader of Opposition in Delhi Assembly Vijender Gupta was also present in the meeting.