New Delhi, Oct. 22 -- A meeting of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) House descended into chaos on Thursday as BJP and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) councillors clashed over ward development funds and the city's air pollution, with microphones allegedly damaged, files thrown and proceedings disrupted.
The confrontation began after Mayor Pravesh Wahi announced an allocation of Rs 25 lakh for each councillor's ward development work. AAP councillors demanded that the immediate allocation be increased to Rs 1 crore, triggering sloganeering and forcing the House to adjourn for five minutes.
According to the mayor's office, Rs 2 crore would be made available to councillors during the current financial year. Wahi said the Opposition had disrupted proceedings instead of participating in discussions on sanitation and air pollution ahead of the festive season.
AAP's Delhi unit, however, said its councillors had demanded an account of the Rs 2 crore development fund from the BJP during the meeting at the Civic Centre.
The confrontation escalated after the House reconvened to discuss pollution control. In the meeting councillors moving towards the mayor's chair, while water and files were thrown. AAP councillor Shagufta Zubair allegedly attempted to damage the microphone at the mayor's desk. Marshals subsequently escorted Wahi away from the chair.
The AAP also alleged that Congress leader Nazia Danish made personal remarks against Shagufta Zubair and used abusive language. The exchange added to the tension inside the House, with councillors from
the three parties trading accusations.
Wahi condemned the disruption and referred the matter to the Corporation's Disciplinary Committee for action under the rules. He also said 2,500 additional sanitation workers would be deployed for three months to improve cleanliness during the festive season, a move he claimed was opposed by AAP councillors.
The mayor further cited the recent regularisation of 1,500 sanitation workers, saying their monthly salaries had increased from Rs 18,500 to around Rs 50,000.
Despite the disruption, the mayor's office said several public-interest proposals were passed, including a proposal to produce gas from 6,600 metric tonnes of cow dung.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.