The bill for MCD trifurcation was passed in the Delhi Assembly amid din on Thursday as BJP MLAs demanded a full statehood for the national capital.
The Delhi Municipal Corporation (Amendment) Bill, which also provides for
transfer of some powers to the city government in overseeing functioning of the new bodies as well as giving approval to rules and bylaws framed by them, was passed through voice vote.
The BJP MLAs trooped into the Well of the House demanding full statehood for Delhi and in the midst of their heavy sloganeering, the bill was put to voice vote and declared as passed.
Earlier, replying to the debate on the issue, chief minister Sheila Dikshit described the MCD trifurcation as a “historic moment” and expressed hope that it will lead to improvement in civic amenities in the city.
“The government could have split the MCD three years ago (when we returned to power). We did not do it then, as there may have been criticism that we did it because MCD was ruled by the BJP. Now we are doing it because the term of this MCD is getting over,” Ms Dikshit said.
However, the Opposition BJP protested the decision claiming that this is a political move and demanded a complete statehood for Delhi.
The Leader of the Opposition in Delhi Assembly Prof. V.K. Malhotra slammed the government for not taking adequate steps to get full statehood for Delhi.
Noting that multiplicity of authorities was hampering development, Ms Dikshit said she would keep pressing for full statehood.
“We will keep putting effort for statehood. May be some years down the line statehood will be a reality,” Ms Dikshit told reporters.
Ms Dikshit tenaciously followed the trifurcation process. The bill will be sent to President Pratibha Patil for her assent.
The plan to split the MCD saw many ups and downs as many Congress leaders also came out in opposition and they even met party chief Sonia Gandhi to lodge complaint.