Mayor demands ‘due’ revenue share from UT Administration

Cites Delhi finance body recommendation to stake claim.

Citing the recommendations of the Fourth Delhi Finance Commission — the body that reviews the financial position of the municipality and makes recommendations to the Administrator of Chandigarh — Mayor Subhash Chawla on Friday demanded the Municipal Corporation's (MC) due share of revenue from the UT Administration.

The civic body's current revenue share is 17 per cent and has been the same since 2002, despite new departments having been added to it, in the past few years. In fact, over the past several years the amount that is due has not been paid. This was among the several issues taken up at a meeting between officials of the UT administration and the Municiapal Corporation on Friday.

The Municipal Corporation authorities also want government buildings to obtain a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from the MC's fire wing before the Estate Office issues completion certificates. At present, only private buildings are required to obtain the NOC.

Officials also discussed the condition of departments of primary health and primary education, that were transferred to the Municipal Corporation three years ago. Sub-committees, for these two departments, have not been constituted as their functions have not been defined.

While a demand for 15 doctors as well as other staff was raised, the Administration officials informed the meeting that seven new doctors would be recruited soon. There is also a shortage of staff in the dispensaries.

With ward committees for different wards yet to be constituted for a year, the Mayor sought approval for the formation of these panels. The lists of members is pending approval from the Administration. The issue of ward development fund for nominated councillors on lines of the elected councillors was also taken up. The Mayor wanted Rs 40 lakh, the amount that elected members receive every year, be granted to nominated councillors for the development of their wards as well.

... contd.

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