Congress Alleges Delhi Mayor Finalised MCD Budget Without House Discussion

Opposition leader Nazia Danish raised the concern during a special House meeting, stating that the budget had already been signed and sent for publishing.

The Congress party on Monday accused Delhi Mayor Shelly Oberoi of finalising the MCD Budget for 2024-25 without conducting any discussion in the House. Opposition leader Nazia Danish raised the concern during a special House meeting, stating that the budget had already been signed and sent for publishing.

While addressing the mayor, Danish questioned the purpose of the ongoing discussions if the budget was already finalised, leading to a denial from the municipal secretary, who claimed not to have received any budget document for finalisation.

"We have heard that you have already signed the budget and sent it for publishing. If that's true, why are we holding these discussions? There is no point in holding these hoax discussions and fooling us," he was quoted as saying by news agency PTI. 

The special House meeting, held at the Civic Centre, focused on discussing the budget estimates for the upcoming fiscal year. Suggestions from councillors of opposition parties and AAP leaders were presented, addressing various issues such as landfill sites, delayed salaries for MCD workers, deficiencies in hospitals and schools, poor conditions of public toilets, pollution, stray animal menace, and the absence of a standing committee.

Despite Mayor Shelly Oberoi's call for calm and an appeal to proceed with the proceedings, the meeting witnessed uproarious scenes. The ongoing discussions are scheduled to continue until February 8, when the leader of the house is expected to present the budget after incorporating any amendments.

During the meeting, BJP councillors raised concerns about the prolonged absence of the standing committee, while first-time councillors focused on issues related to their respective areas, including sterilization of dogs, road maintenance, and municipal parks. 

The demand for the formation of a standing committee had previously led to disruptions in the house, with BJP councillors alleging that the AAP was attempting to avoid committee elections to prevent a potential loss of majority.

In a separate development, the Delhi mayor filed a petition in the Supreme Court, seeking authority for the MCD to continue its work until the standing committee is formed. In December of the previous year, the MCD commissioner had presented the budget for approval by officials in the house.