Urban ministry asks Home for power over Delhi civic bodies

MHA deals with Constitutional and Legislative matters related to all Union Territories, including the National Capital Territory of Delhi, which has been granted partial statehood.

Officials said the MoUD proposal was made because the municipal bodies have a lot in common with the ministry owing to their nature of functioning. It was mooted by former UD secretary Sudhir Krishna who retired three months ago. However, the proposal has seen some movement within the MHA only recently.

“The proposal was mooted during my tenure and I would be happy if it is implemented. The idea behind making such a proposal was that the aligned bodies can work together. The MHA can keep the cadre controlling part. But the day-to-day functioning, including the finances of the municipal bodies, should ideally be handed over to the MoUD for better implementation of projects and programmes,” Krishna said.

Officials said they were still studying the proposal but the final decision would be taken by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh as well as Naidu. “The two ministers will have to sit together and discuss the transfer,” the official said. If the matter is not resolved at their level, the Prime Ministers Office (PMO) will take the final call.

In the past, former Delhi chief ministers Sheila Dikshit and Arvind Kejriwal backed the move to bring Delhi Police under the control of the Delhi government. Delhi Police functions under the MHA. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi was trifurcated during Dikshit’s tenure.