Landfill clearance, door-to-door garbage collection: Key projects may get nod after MCD House takes over standing committee’s powers

The proposal, passed amidst chaos and protests by BJP councillors, aimed to transfer the powers of the 18-member standing committee, which holds the sole power to grant funds for proposals exceeding a budget of Rs 5 crore. The delay in constituting the committee has led to numerous important projects being stuck in limbo. Two cases related to its election are currently pending before the High Court and the Supreme Court.

Making Delhi landfill-free was among the AAP’s key promises during the MCD polls. On multiple occasions, both MCD Mayor Shelly Oberoi and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal have highlighted that the flattening and elimination of landfill sites is seeing slower progress due to the lack of a standing committee.

Other agendas that will be proposed on a priority basis include a toll tax collection-related proposal, maintenance of toilets, and fund allotment for pending parking projects.

“Contracts of data-entry operators were being renewed after every 45 days, a proposal will be put forward in the next house meeting to hire them on a long-term contract,” sources said.

Door-to-door garbage collection was also not taking place in many localities due to exhaustion of tenders, a proposal regarding the same will also be passed soon.

Other essential agendas that have been stalled will also be brought forward. These include a garbage collection proposal for the central zone; proposals related to the hiring of horticulture staff and buying of horticulture tools; the extension of contracts to supply medical gas across MCD hospitals; a proposal to hire more contractual safai karamcharis; a 200-bed ward block at the Balak Ram Hospital; a proposal to engage in tie-ups with NGOs to provide hot cooked meals under the PM POSHAN scheme; development of a museum at Lahori Gate that are expected to be prioritised in upcoming meetings.

Another resolution that was passed in the special house assembly was the de-sealing of shops in local shopping complexes. “The de-sealing will start within a week,” official sources said.