The Corporation, which has always held AAP-led Delhi government responsible for halting civic services saying that the latter has deliberately curtailed its share, said that it can maintain services from its own revenues. The Corporation, in order to avoid debacle in next Municipal polls, also announced scores of measures in its area.
Notably, the MCDs and the state government have always indulged in war of words over financial matters. The MCDs claim that they cannot carry civic services as the local government deliberately stopped their fund. The government, however, claimed that the Corporations are capable of generating revenue to minimise shortage of fund but they have been failed due to rampant corruption. Rift between the two has also witnessed garbage crisis, strikes of MCD employees due to delay in salary payment, stopping of old-age pension among others.
Standing Committee Chairman, Radhe Shyam Sharma, who has never missed any opportunity to criticise the government for financial crisis in the civic agencies, said that Corporation is committed to provide better civic amenities to the citizens for which it has decided to implement various schemes. One of the major achievements during 2015-16 was to make the agency revenue surplus local body by Rs 308 crore.
“The SDMC became financially sound by making its financial management and more collection under the internal revenue hence it became the most financially strong MCD in Delhi. Under the head of income from the advertisement an amount of Rs 42.5 crore was received in spite of removing all wallraps and rooftops to make Delhi clean and beautiful. This can be termed an important step. The target of internal income of the SDMC in 2016 was Rs 1,788 crore, the target was achieved by generation of Rs1,778 crore that was close to the target,” he said.
Announcing series of measures, Sharma said that replacement of conventional streetlights with LED lights is going to save 5.40 crore units of electricity worth Rs 50 crore, apart from reduction in 41,500 tonne carbon emission. The SDMC is installing solar panels on 40 municipal buildings and 400 primary schools. This will result in saving of 4 lakh unit electricity apart from reduction in 300 tonne carbon emission.
Installation of over 10,000 dustbins in different markets is on the cards and IF&SL is all set to start work this month for the waste management. 16 MW power generation from 1,800 metric ton is being made daily. Further, manure is being produced from 500 MT green wastes. Developmental works with Rs 35 crore are being undertaken in unauthorised colonies. Additionally, 1 lakh mosquito nets are being distributed for free and Purnima Sethi hospital in Kalkaji has been dedicated to the citizens.