AAP government can strip MCD of its powers: Sisodia

Delhi Education Minister Manish Sisodia Monday said provisions exist to strip civic bodies of their powers, hinting the new AAP government could do so if the BJP-ruled municipal corporations did not grant "No Objection Certificate" (NOC) for opening new schools.

"There are provisions for stripping the powers of MCD (Municipal Corporation of Delhi) if they don't clear map layouts (for construction of new schools)," Sisodia said.

Sisodia said he would Tuesday meet the commissioners of the three municipal corporations of Delhi.

"Some bureaucrats have complained the municipal corporations take months to approve a map for construction of any school. I will chair a meeting with the commissioners of all the three corporations regarding this," he told reporters.

The minister, whose top priority would be education, emphasised on improving facilities in government schools.

In its poll manifesto, the Aam Aadmi Party had promised to open 500 schools in the national capital.