BJP should avoid petty politics on development work:Delhi Govt

Gupta had criticised the government for offering a loan of Rs 1,831 crore to the three new municipalities, where BJP has come to power, saying that the government should have given the money as grant so that they could start functioning without any burden.

"We do not want to do politics on developmental work in the city. We would be happy if they also do not indulge in petty politics," Transport Minister Arvinder Singh Lovely said, addressing a press conference with Power Minister Harun Yusuf and Industries Minister Ramakant Goswami.

The Delhi government last week had decided to provide a financial assistance of Rs 5,326 crore to the three new municipalities, including a special loan of Rs 1,831 crore, for the year 2012-13.

Accusing the erstwhile MCD, which was ruled by BJP, of failing to utilise funds allocated by the government, Lovely said Delhi Government was looking forward to have a "cordial relationship" with the three new municipalities but at the same time it would not allow "politics" to affect developmental projects.

"We have been giving them enough financial assistance. The BJP has been misguiding people about government's support to the MCD. We are not going to tolerate this," he said.

Interestingly, Urban Development Minister A K Walia, who is incharge of municipal affairs, was not available for comment about issues related to the civic bodies.

Alleging "inefficiency" in tax collection by the MCD, Yusuf said the civic body collects property tax from only nine lakh properties out of over 31 lakh properties in the city.

"Inspite of having sufficient funds for development works, the MCD failed to deliver and also failed to take any initiative for revenue generation," he said.

"We had given them Rs 200 crore to procure mechanised sweeping vehicles. We do not know where the money has gone," the minister said. PTI MPB