Non-allocation of funds by AAP Govt will 'cripple' sanitation services in Delhi: Gupta

The AAP government's failure to make non-plan fund allocations would "cripple" sanitation services of three municipal corporations in Delhi, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Vijender Gupta said today.

Non-allocation of funds under different heads for 2018-19 would affect essential services such as door-to-door collection of garbage, maintenance of sanitary landfill sites, tipper-truck services, segregation of garbage, and improvement of roads by the three municipal corporations, the BJP leader said.

"The gravity of the impact of financial denial by the Delhi government can be gauged from the fact that during 2017-18, these sectors received an allocation of Rs 1,228.42 crore. In place of increasing the allocation this year, the government reduced it to zero out of political ill-will," he said.

Gupta alleged that the AAP government's move was an act of "revenge" as the party was defeated by the BJP in the municipal corporation elections last year.

"It has been done with an eye on the 2019 Lok Sabha election to spoil image of the BJP which rules the three local bodies," he said.

The Leader of Opposition said the BJP would approach court if the AAP government did not take any remedial measures to provide adequate resources to the civic bodies -- East Delhi, North Delhi and South Delhi municipal corporations.

"It is a crude joke on the people of Delhi. BJP will meet the Lieutenant Governor and urge him to direct the Delhi government to restore the denied funds. If required, we will move the high court...," he said.

In 2017-18, North and South Delhi Municipal Corporations received an allocation of Rs 472.56 crore each and East Delhi Municipal Corporation Rs 283.03 crore, he said.

The urban development sector in North and South Municipal Corporations received an allocation of Rs 452.56 crore each, whereas East Delhi Municipal Corporation received an allocation of Rs 280.30 crore.

In transport sector, North and South Municipal Corporations received an allocation of Rs 20 crore each, whereas East Delhi Municipal Corporation received Rs three crore.

No budget estimates have been sanctioned to any local body for 2018-19 under urban development and transport sectors, he claimed.