RWAs to have role in new MCD Act

New Act To Dump Redundant Sections

Ambika Pandit TNN

New Delhi: The Congress may be struggling to arrive at a compromise formula over splitting the Municipal Corporation of Delhi. But retired IAS officer K Dharmarajan and his team of experts charged with the responsibility of drafting a new legislation to replace the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act 1957 has already got down to the task of preparing a policy paper that will outline the contours of the new Bill.

    Besides weeding out large chunks of redundant provisions, the process seeks to create a local body framework that will involve greater participation of people through resident welfare associations (RWAs) and the voluntary sector. The committee wants to be ready with the draft legislation within three months. It will then be sent to the Delhi government. The Centre needs to approve the new legislation as the existing Act is a central legislation.

    In 2002, another report prepared by Dharmarajan became the basis of the property tax reform and led to a shift to the present unit area method of taxation.

    The DMC Act committee discussed the existing Act and the framework for the new legislation in its meeting on Friday. The first thing on its plate is the large chunks of the DMC Act which have no relevance to the MCD’s functioning any more. For instance, water, electricity, land use, the Delhi fire service and the slum wing, which were once municipal functions, are no longer under the jurisdiction of the corporation.

    The members feel that the new Act should simplify civic administration which is likely to be split into five even if the wards stay at 272. People’s participation is considered critical to make local-self government a reality. Thus, RWAs and NGOs may get a crucial role in the ward committees. The existing structure of ward committees is almost redundant and these committees are likely to great a strong role.

    The members are also trying to consolidate the civic administration as a body that will focus on socio-economic change. With MCD allocating funds for social benefits to the underprivileged like old age, widow pension, grants for marriage of daughters of widows, discussions are on to bring these functions under one umbrella for better management.

    The state government roped in Dharmarajan in February to assist the first political committee constituted to prepare a report on restructuring of MCD. Its report recommended a five-way split for the MCD. The Delhi cabinet cleared the report in principle. But some Congress MLAs and most councillors are opposed to it. 

 

with thanks : Times of India : link in headline above for detailed version.