Standing committee back in action, several govt projects cleared

Time of India

19 hours ago

New Delhi: The first meeting of
Municipal Corporation of Delhi
's standing committee was held on Friday, and approved major layout plans of govt projects pending for a long time.
The approvals were given for the revised layout plan for the construction of group housing at DTC Colony in Shadipur and at Hari Nagar Colony on DTC land, staff quarters of
Delhi University
at Dhaka complex, building complex at DDU Marg, for Shri Ram College of Commerce, National Physical Laboratory complex at Pusa and St Stephen's College, Rajya Sabha Secretariat at Sector 12 RK Puram and India Institute of Foreign Trade complex at Maidan Garhi.
Other approved proposals included the extension of security services in various hospitals, purchase of larvicides for the prevention and control of vector-borne diseases, construction of classrooms and hiring of unskilled staff to work as gardeners in the horticulture department.
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Overall, 102 proposals were placed, out of which 25 public-centric agenda items were passed, committee chairman Satya Sharma said.
Out of the 57 layout plans, several concerned private properties.
The formation of the standing committee faced a delay of two and a half years, resulting in numerous projects being held up. Any project exceeding Rs 5 crore needs the committee's approval.
On Friday, the meeting lasted for more than three hours. Leader of the opposition Ankush Narang questioned the reasons for not placing important proposals related to waste management despite an urgent requirement for their approval.
Chairman Sharma assured that all steps would be taken to accelerate the operation of the committee and approve necessary projects on time.
BJP's Inderjeet Sehrawat, a committee member, highlighted 160 shops that were sealed in 2018 on the direction of the Supreme Court-monitored committee. "Sealing was also carried out on Wednesday and Thursday on the orders issued by the deputy commissioner, Najafgarh zone. My only question is why only certain areas are targeted when building bylaws are violated rampantly in entire Delhi," he said, adding that the commissioner should speak to the home ministry, the lieutenant governor and the chief minister to resolve the matter as the decision has left several unemployed.
Councillors also inquired about the release of funds for the maintenance of parks under the public-private partnership scheme to residents welfare associations. Commissioner Ashwani Kumar said the details of bills till March 31 were collected and Rs 20 crore would be released soon after the availability of funds.
AAP councillor Rafia Mahir questioned the shortage of staff in the public health department, including anti-malaria officers in 12 zones. She also pointed out the non-payment of salaries in Hardayal Library for 36 months. "On the high court's direction, MCD issued Rs 4 crore out of Rs 12 crore, but the amount is less." The commissioner said funds would be allocated based on availability.