Kejriwal urges LG to direct DDA to clear dues to civic bodies

Delhi CM says activities of these civic bodies are being affected adversely while mentioning financial constraints faced by them

With the MCD sanitation workers on strike over non-payment of salaries and arrears, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has urged Lt Governor Najeeb Jung to direct Delhi Development Authority to immediately clear its dues running into over Rs 1,600 crores to the civic bodies facing financial constraints.

Mentioning financial constraints faced by the three Municipal Corporations of Delhi, Chief Minister Kejriwal said that activities of the civic bodies are "adversely affected" and the issue was also raised in a meeting called by Union Urban Development Minister on October 1.

In a letter written to the Lt Governor, Kejriwal has said "due to financial crunch the municipal corporations are unable to meet their core functions relating to handling and removal of garbage."

"Often the municipal corporations delay paying monthly salaries to Safai Karmcharis (sanitation workers) which leads to threats of strikes by them," he said.

He said Delhi Government has made efforts to release funds and grants under Plan and Non-Plan heads to all the three municipal corporations in time.

Underlining Property Tax as one of the main sources of revenue generation to the MCDs, the Chief Minister said, "It is informed that DDA owes more than Rs 1,600 crores to them in terms of Property Tax."

The Property Tax dues owed by DDA was Rs 765 crore to South Delhi Municipal Corporation, Rs 590 crore to North Delhi Municipal Corporation and Rs 200 crore to East Delhi Municipal Corporation, he stated in his letter.

Urging the Lt Governor to look into the matter, Kejriwal asked him to give suitable "instructions" to DDA to clear all outstanding dues with respect to Property Tax to the MCDs at the earliest.

Demanding regular payment of salaries, arrears, regularisation of their posts, cashless health card, sanitation workers went on strike from October 23. In June also they had gone on strike raising the same demands.