New Delhi: All elected BJP members of the three municipal corporations on Wednesday staged a dharna over the AAP government's "denial" of financial aid to the cash- strapped civic bodies and theirs mayors sought the Lt Governor's intervention in the issue.
Over 120 councillors of the three BJP-led corporations -- North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC), South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC), and East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC) -- including senior party leaders marched to the Raj Niwas from Chandi Ram Akhara shouting slogans.
"We marched on foot to the LG House from the akhara and raised slogans outlining our demands from the Delhi government. After assembling at the Raj Niwas, we also met Lt Governor Najeeb Jung and he has assured us that he (LG) would take up the matter with Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal," North Delhi Mayor Yogender Chandolia told PTI.
All senior leaders, including the mayors, and deputy mayors, leader of houses and chairmen of standing committees of the three corporations took part in the protest.
A delegation of mayors of three corporations had recently met Kejriwal to seek release of funds but the government denied them any financial aid and instead directed them to approach the Centre for help.
But, Chandolia said, "we are not going to meet the Centre but intensify our protest and gherao the chief minister to put forth our demands."
On LG's meet he said, "Though the LG has assured us of all help, somehow I have apprehensions that we won't be getting a positive outcome out of it."
The NDMC is currently running into losses worth Rs 1,400 cr while the EDMC is under a debt of over Rs 500 cr with only the SDMC managing to stay out of the red so far.
"Our demand is the release of global funds due to us from last three years from the government. Besides, we also want the education grant to be increased to 100 per cent from 70 per cent.
"Property Tax is also due to us from several institutions including the DDA. And, since the LG is the chairman of the urban body, we have requested him to take up its case, to which he has also assured all help," Chandolia said.
He claimed that the financial situation of three civic agencies has deteriorated after the trifurcation of the erstwhile unified Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) in 2012.
