BJP legislator accuses AAP govt for financially starving municipalities

The opposition BJP in Delhi on Friday accused the Delhi government of paralysing three municipalities in the city, a day after the government announced rejection of some of the recommendations of the Fifth Delhi Finance Commission (DFC).

Leader of Opposition Vijender Gupta said the recommendations "which could have given a new lease of life to the fund-starved municipal corporations have been converted into an instrument to paralyse and financially starve them." The Delhi Assembly on Thursday adopted the Fifth DFC which made 171 recommendations.

"Out of 171, 88 were accepted by the Delhi government while 21 related with the devolution of funds were accepted with amendments. Thirteen were left for the local bodies to decide while 17 were referred to a committee, and 29 were rejected. Three of the recommendations were already implemented," said Delhi Urban Development Minister Satyendra Jain in the House.

Gupta said by rejecting 29 "vital recommendations of DFC", the Delhi government is doing "gross injustice" to the poor and deprived sections of society. "The truth is that all the recommendations which could have helped local bodies, particularly, east and north Delhi municipal corporations become financially viable have been deliberately rejected by the Delhi Government," he said.

(With inputs from agencies.)