Trifurcation of MCD led to its downfall claim residents

Sneha Agrawal

New Delhi, December 29, 2015 

The trifurcation, which was aimed at improving the efficiency of the civic body at micro level, today is drawing flak from the residents due to the failure in delivering results. The residents say that move was made to reap political advantage rather than administrative benefits.

Dividing the erstwhile corporation into three led to further downfall in the functioning of the civic body, say the residents' welfare associations. The trifurcation, which was aimed at improving the efficiency of the civic body at micro level, today is drawing flak from the residents due to the failure in delivering results. The residents say that move was made to reap political advantage rather than administrative benefits.

"The trifurcation complicated the functioning of the MCD. While there has been no change in the quality of the service on the ground, the administration has gone from bad to worse. The move had political benefits but from the view point of administration, it has failed miserably. After the staff was doubled up, there has not been any social audit on the fact that whether the decision to trifurcate proved to be constructive or not," said Rajiv Kakria, citizen activist from Greater Kailash- 1.

The RWAs from east Delhi said the idea of a unified MCD was much better than the present one. The cash-strapped east MCD has not been able to look after the civic requirements of the residents. "The trifurcation was politically driven and did not benefit general public. The roads, drains and sanitation are a major challenge in east Delhi. The condition continues to worsen. Whenever we approached councillors with our problem, we were sent back saying there were no funds to meet civic needs. Unification would narrow down problems," said BS Vohra from East Delhi RWAs Joint Front Federation.

Some others feel the decision to trifurcate the erstwhile civic agency has not met expectations.

"Trifurcation was done to make the MCD authorities approachable for the residents. There were speculations that the authorities were not channeling funds equally and focus was being laid on few areas. But today, the civic agencies are badly failing in their task. The salaries are not being disbursed in time, no concrete development work has taken place and there has been an increase in the expenditure on the establishment. However, comparing the two, a single MCD proved be a better option," said Saurabh Gandhi, general secretary of United Residents of Delhi.

with thanks : Mail Today : LINK : for detailed news report.