Lok Sabha passes bill to unify three municipal corporations of Delhi

The Delhi Municipal Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2022 was passed in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday (March 30) via voice vote.

New Delhi: The Delhi Municipal Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2022 which seeks to unify the three municipal corporations of the national capital was passed in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday (March 30).

The Delhi Municipal Corporation was trifurcated in 2011 by the then Sheila Dikshit-led Delhi government to create compact municipalities to provide better delivery of services.

The MCD Bill moved by Union Home Minister Amit Shah aims to merge the three civic bodies into a single, integrated and well-equipped entity to ensure a robust mechanism for synergised and strategic planning and optimal utilisation of resources. 

The bill was passed by a voice vote while the several amendments moved by the Opposition members were rejected. 

Speaking at the Lok Sabha, Amit Shah attacked the Delhi government and said it is meting out "step-motherly" treatment to MCDs in the national capital due to which they are struggling with inadequate resources for carrying out their responsibilities. Urging members of the House to rise above “party politics”, Shah said, "I want to say with responsibility...The Delhi government is working with a step-motherly attitude towards the municipal corporations. Step motherly treatment is being meted out because of which the municipal corporations are not finding themselves equipped with adequate resources to carry out their responsibilities.” 

Shah also said the trifurcation of the MCD was done in a "hurry for political reasons".  "I tried to look for the reasons for the trifurcation, scoured through files but could not find anything on it," the Home Minister added. 

Targeting AAP which had alleged that the Centre brought the MCD bill to delay the polls. 

“Those who are saying that elections (MCD polls) have been postponed due to fear of polls, themselves are scared. If you are so confident of the victory then why do you want elections right now? If you have done good work, you will win 6 months later too,” he said. 

Currently, the three corporations in Delhi -- North, South and East Delhi Municipal Corporations -- have a total of 272 seats, out of which North and South corporations have 104 seats each, while the East corporation has 64. 

(With agency inputs)