Will reunification indeed help the cause?
The unified MCD used to be one of the most powerful government bodies till 2011. According to old-timers, the tri-furcation has left the corporations as mere departments struggling with cash crisis and weak administration. Five years ago, the unified Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) usedto function from the 150-year-old British-era Town Hall building in the walled city.
In 2012, after the trifurcation, the MCD headquarters moved to the 28-storeyed Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Civic Centre building, in central Delhi’s Minto Road. The Civic Centre is the tallest building of the city, which houses the offices of the North and South Municipal Corporations. The East civic body operates from the Udyog Sadan building in East Delhi’s Patparganj.
The MCD came into existence by an Act of the Parliament on 7 April, 1958. Prior to the Act, notified municipal committees used to cater to the civic requirements of the city. Most of the crucial services, including Delhi Fire Services, power, water and major 60-feet-wide roads were under the unified MCD, which were later taken away by the Delhi government.
Satish Upadhyay, former corporator and senior BJP leader, said, “MCD used to be a powerful body. There has been a major financial disparity among the three corporations. …read more
