DMs seek explanation from MCDs over 'lack of cleanliness'

In a move that may trigger a tussle between BJP-controlled MCDs and the Delhi government, the AAP dispensation has ordered crackdown against civic bodies over "lack of cleanliness" following which district magistrates have issued 178 conditional orders seeking explanation from the civic officials and warned of legal action against them.
The move comes days before the Delhi government is scheduled to convene a two-day special session of the Assembly starting June 9 to discuss the working of the three municipal corporations with respect to sanitation.
According to the Delhi government, the conditional orders have been issued to officials of three MCDs under Section 133 of CrPC which empowers DM, SDM, and Executive Magistrate to issue such order on the basis of complaints or otherwise for removal of nuisance from any public place that may be injurious to the health or physical comfort of the public.

A senior government official claimed this provision in criminal law also makes it clear that in case the DM is satisfied to invoke this section for the health safety of general public, then it cannot be challenged even in the courts.
"Following directions from Home & PWD minister Satyendar Jain, the DMs of respective districts have so far issued 178 conditional orders under section 133 of the CrPC to the concerned officials of the three MCDs for unsatisfactory cleanliness and hygienic conditions in areas under their jurisdiction, particularly the dhalaos," said a senior government official.
North-West District has issued 32 conditional orders to the officials of area municipal corporation concerned for unsatisfactory cleanliness while 26 were issued by the North District.

Besides, East District and North-East Districts have issued 32 and 15 such orders over the same respectively. However, 15 and 14 conditional orders have been given by the South and South-West Districts.

"With these orders, it is clear that the concerned officials of the three MCDs will have to provide reasonable explanations for the lack of satisfactory cleanliness and hygienic conditions in their areas of respective jurisdictions, failing which further legal action will be initiated," official said, adding that lack of cleanliness and hygiene issues around dhalaos will not be tolerated.
Three days back, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had accused the BJP-controlled civic bodies of turning the city into a "garbage bin".

Aam Aadmi Party is gearing up for elections to the three civic bodies - East Delhi Municipal Corporation, North Delhi Municipal Corporation and South Delhi Municipal Corporation -- to be held next year.
In the recent bypoll to 13 wards, AAP made a debut by winning five seats, while Congress bagged five seats and BJP three.