EDMC Mayor writes to Delhi govt on fund transfer

East Delhi Municipal Corporation has urged Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to implement the 4th Delhi Finance Commission recommendations and transfer funds to the corporation, stating that government will be “responsible” for any “untoward incident” arising out of non-payment of salaries to municipal employees.

The EDMC Mayor Harshdeep Malhotra, in his letter to the CM, stated that the corporation needs funds to the tune of Rs 1,525 crore for payment of salaries of municipal employees.

In absence of adequate funds, Rs 1,525 crore is due to be paid on account of salaries of the employees, including 60 per cent sanitation workers that have not been paid since October 2015. Pension has also not been paid since last five months, the letter read.

“The human and social dimensions of non-payment of salary are now impacting core municipal functions of sanitation, primary health and primary education which would have far reaching consequences,” Malhotra said.

“If due to non-payment of salary any mishap occurs, Delhi government will be responsible,” he warned.

BJP member Malhotra alleged that the onus of implementing the recommendations of 4th DFC lies with Delhi government which has been delaying it by passing the buck to the Union government.

The 4th Delhi Finance Commission that submitted its report in March 2013 to the Delhi government, had recommended various steps to improve financial health of the civic bodies and also gave some suggestions to the Centre.