Slanging match over MCD loan

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, OCT. 31.

The slanging match between the Congress(I) and the BJP-dominated MCD intensified today with four Congress(I) MLAs accusing the Vajpayee-led NDA Government of trying to destroy all democratic institutions and putting at peril Centre-State relations by adopting unconstitutional means.

They warned that the Rs. 100-crore loan by the Union Urban Development Ministry to MCD was not only undemocratic but was full of dangerous implications for the MCD and the people. The attempts to bypass an elected government does not augur well for Centre-State relations.

Charging the BJP with adopting dubious means to raise funds for contesting elections in Uttar Pradesh and the MCD polls, the legislators -- Mr. Arvinder Singh Lovely, Mr. Mahabal Mishra, Mr. Zile Singh Chuahan and Mr. Brahmpal -- alleged that clandestine means were being adopted by the Vajpayee Government to raise money in the name of development. ``It is no secret the MCD is neck deep in corruption and is known for being inefficient and ineffective in providing basic amenities. These funds will never reach the people and would be siphoned off by the BJP leaders in collusion with corrupt officials. They would then be indirectly used for elections,'' they claimed.

Mr. Mishra said the most shocking part was that this money was sought to be spent for roads in posh areas of South Delhi, constituencies of BJP leaders and industrial areas. The MoU does not make any mention of repair or laying of roads in re- settlement colonies, unauthorised colonies, rural villages and residential areas inhabited by weaker sections giving rise to suspicion that the funds were not used for any developmental work. He said only roads in Janakpuri, Rohini and Vasant Vihar areas were being taken up.

Mr. Mishra said, surprisingly these roads had been laid only recently and do not require any dense carpeting. But for reasons best known to MCD leaders, such roads have been included in the new plan. He said that in the East Delhi area, which has a population of more than 40 lakhs not a single road had been included for repair or development.

Mr. Lovely said people of Delhi were likely to be taxed by the MCD to recover the money for repaying the loan extended by the Centre. ``The Corporation is bankrupt and is surviving on borrowed money. How will they repay the loan,'' he asked.

The Gandhi Nagar MLA said the manner in which the Union Urban Development Minister, Mr. Ananth Kumar, has sought to criticise the Delhi Government was a clear indication that BJP would go to any extent for gaining political mileage. The Minister had stooped to the level of local politicians at the instance of local BJP leaders. ``If Mr. Ananth Kumar is so concerned about civic amenities, let him allocate similar amounts to all the municipalities. Why this discrimination?'' he asked.

Mr.Lovely said the MCD had signed an MoU with the Centre but had refused to do the same with the Delhi Government. ``The motive behind this refusal was clear. With no accountability at the Centre, BJP leaders in the MCD could easily squander public money, in league with private contractors and officials. The track record of MCD in utilising developmental funds is well known. Year after year they have surrendered money meant for roads, health and sanitation.''

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