Assembly passes resolution on MLALAD works execution

After complaints from Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs about municipal corporations delaying works using their MLA Local Area Development (MLALAD) funds, the Delhi Assembly on Tuesday passed a resolution directing the government to form strict deadlines for such projects.

The resolution, moved by AAP MLA from Greater Kailash Saurabh Bharadwaj, said the request for drafting the estimate for any work should not take more than 21 days for any executing agency.

In case, anyone else, including the area MP or councillor, has already proposed the same project then the MLA should be informed in seven days, the resolution said. The allocation of funds, which is done by the Delhi government’s Urban Development Department, to the executing agency should not take more than 14 working days.

Preparing and issuing a tender should be done in 30 days and the work should be awarded in 14 days after finalising bids. The actual execution of work should be complete in 90 days.

The resolution added that a violation of these guidelines would be treated as contempt and breach of privilege of the House.

Speaking during a discussion, Urban Development Minister Satyendar Jain said officials of the municipal corporations were under pressure from councillors not to prepare estimates for works using MLALAD funds. The three municipal corporations are ruled by the BJP.

BJP MLAs marshalled out

Earlier in the day, BJP MLAs demanded a discussion on what they termed is a water crisis in Delhi. All four BJP MLAs, including Leader of the Opposition Vijender Gupta, were marshalled out after they crowded around Speaker Ram Niwas Goel’s desk. A discussion on the water supply in the city was on the agenda for Tuesday, however, it was not taken up and the session was adjourned sine die.

Mr. Gupta, in reference to the episode, said the government “was not serious about people’s concerns”.

“When we broached the topic on Monday, given the severity of the water problem in Delhi, I was marshalled out; the topic was then scheduled for discussion on Tuesday but was not discussed. The Chief Minister, who himself looks after the water portfolio, meanwhile, has been missing in action,” he said, adding that he demanded Arvind Kejriwal’s resignation.