SDMC seeks 'Municipal Reform Fund' from Delhi government

NEW DELHI: South Delhi Municipal Corporation today sought immediate release of the Municipal Reform Fund from the Delhi government.

Subhash Arya, Chairman of the Standing Committee of SDMC, alleged that grants under various schemes have not been released by the Delhi government to the corporation.

He claimed that after implementation of the 'Unit Area Method' in 2004, the then Delhi government had assured us to compensate the losses due to its implementation but it is "still pending since 2005-06".

In a statement released by the SDMC, Arya said till 2007-08, the government was giving 5.5 per cent to municipal corporations under the 'global share of taxes'.

"It was reduced to 4 per cent and 1.5 per cent is kept under 'Municipal Reform Fund (MRF)'. In 2012-13, under MRF Rs 60 crore was released against the demand of Rs 135 crore and since 2013-14 no MRF has been released to the municipal corporation," he said.

Arya said corporations are carrying out works in authorised colonies, unauthorised colonies and rural village areas but "no fund" is released to us under these schemes.

He added that under plan schemes multi-level parkings, roads, schools, community centre and RUBs (road-over-bridges), bridges are made but claimed the government was "not releasing fund" in a "timely manner" leading to delay in projects and timely delivery of services.

The Delhi government must move forward from "political gimmicks" and release funds for benefit of Delhiites, he said.

While the cash-strapped East Delhi Municipal Corporation has already sought fund from the government, both Delhi and the Union to come out of the red, financial situation of North Delhi Municipal Corporation is not so good either.

Arya had written a letter to the Union Urban Development Minister, the Delhi government earlier for immediate release of all grants under various heads.