• Source:PTI
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MCD Mayor Fund: The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), led by the Aam Aadmi Party on Tuesday proposed to increase the financial powers of Mayor Shelly Oberoi with the diversion of Rs 1,500 crore from the 2023-24 budgetary allocation to her discretionary fund. However, the move was strongly opposed by opposition BJP councillors. AAP's Mukesh Goel submitted a cut motion in the MCD House, suggesting changes to the revised budget estimates for 2023–2024.

BJP members alleged that if the commissioner approves the proposal, the mayor will have more financial authority and be free to utilise the money however she pleases. Raja Iqbal, Leader of the Opposition in the House, said the cut motion opens the door to divert funds ammounting to around Rs 1,500 crore from the budgetary allocation for 2023–24 that was set aside for various projects.

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The transfer of the amount will be done to the discretionary funds allocated to the mayor to undertake urgent works, he claimed. "The AAP is attempting to run the city unconstitutionally. The mayor is unlawfully being given powers on more than Rs 1,500 crore. By bringing the cut motion, AAP's focus is on stripping employees' salary funds and the rights of all committees (in the MCD)," Iqbal said in a statement as quoted by news agency PTI.

The cut motion is a power given to a member of the House to propose amendments, alteration or deletion in budgetary allocations. Goel presented the cut motion to slash the unused funds allocated for various zonal committees and works and transfer the control of the funds to the mayor.

BJP councillors objected to the proposed amendments, saying that it would dilute the powers of committees. Party councillors said it would also give them complete control over decisions of the use of the funds.

What Proposal Says

According to the cut motion document, unutilised funds including budget for rural wards (Rs 1.5 crore), rural roads (Rs 21 crore), unauthorised colonies (Rs 2 crore), committees -- on education, parks, engineering, health, dams and rural -- (Rs 2.5 crore), park and landscaping (Rs 15 crore), urban development (Rs 26 crore), road maintenance (Rs 6 crore), new engineering works (Rs 22.5 crore rupees), unauthorised regularised colonies (Rs 46 crore), urbanised villages (Rs 17.5 crore), Group B employees' salaries (Rs 226 crore), is proposed to be diverted to the mayor's discretionary funds.

According to the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, the mayor is granted a discretionary fund of around Rs 8 crore to undertake urgent works as deemed fit by him or her.

(With Agency Inputs)