MCD unification may give ‘more say’ to MPs

Bill likely to be notified next week; confusion persists over formation of advisory committee

The Delhi Municipal Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2022, which aims to reunify the Capital’s three civic bodies, is expected to receive the President’s nod this week, according to sources in the BJP. Once the Bill is cleared, the BJP’s seven MPs in Delhi are expected to have “more say” in civic issues in the city.

This, even as several Delhi BJP leaders associated with the municipal bodies over the years are seeking a berth in an advisory body, which may be formed, along with the unified MCD, under a special officer till the municipal elections are held.

BJP sources said the structural dimensions of the soon-to-be-notified single civic body were expected to be clearly defined “within the next 10 days” after which the delimitation of wards would be initiated by the State Election Commission.

A senior civic official also confirmed the possibility of the formation of an advisory committee to the special officer, who will administer the unified MCD till the civic elections, which, party sources said, could be postponed “at least till 2024” and might be conducted along side the Lok Sabha election.

The senior civic official added that former senior Delhi BJP leaders, who held top posts at the civic-level, have confirmed that meetings have been held in the party office over the possibility of an advisory panel. In the meantime, the BJP has announced it would go to each municipal ward in the city to “explain” the reasons behind the Centre’s move to reunify the municipal corporations.

According to a senior Delhi BJP leader, however, there was a “strong possibility” of not forming an advisory body and instead putting the unified MCD under the charge of “two to three Commissioners” who would report to the special officer.

This special officer’s point of contact with the city government, the leader said, could be restricted to the Chief Secretary of Delhi and not the Principal Secretary of the Urban Development Department, who is also the Director of Local Bodies, as is currently the case.