Assembly sets up committee to probe alleged corruption in MCDs

The Delhi Assembly today formed a nine-member committee to probe alleged corruption and irregularities in all three BJP-controlled MCDs and suggest measures for improvement of their functioning.

AAP MLA Somnath Bharti moved a resolution which was adopted by the House to set up the committee consisting of eight AAP MLAs and one BJP MLA Jagdish Pradhan.

Bharti proposed Pradhan's name when he was present in the House. Yesterday, Pradhan opted out of nine-member committee to probe allegations against the Lt Governor.

Almost every AAP MLA came down hard on MCDs for allegedly failing to provide better civic facilities to the people of Delhi.

The terms of reference of the committee include inquiry into the allegations of "rampant corruption" and "irregularities" in the MCD, study into the existing set up of civic bodies and suggestion for improvement of their functioning.

"The committee shall submit its report to the Hon'able Speaker before the commencement of the sixth legislative Assembly," the resolution stated.

Participating in the discussion on the working of civic bodies, AAP MLA Jagdeep Singh alleged that corruption is at its peak in BJP-controlled municipal corporations, saying that government should take strict action against them.

Bharti said that if we see assets of the BJP councilors whose salary is Rs 3,000 per month, we will get to know surprising facts about their earnings, alleging that MCDs have become "the mother of all corrupt departments".

"They (BJP councillors) are driving around in expensive cars and building bungalows. Before MCDs elections, councillors did nothing, but now they have assets in good numbers.

"If anti-corruption branch would have been handed over to government, most of BJP councillors including Delhi BJP President Satish Updhyay, would have been in jail," he said.

The AAP Government had called a two-day special session to discuss the functioning of all three bodies which are ruled by BJP which termed the move as "political motivated. The district magistrates had also sent notices to officials of MCDs over lack of cleanliness in the national capital.