Govt wants control over toilet blocks in slums

BJP calls it political stunt to get votes from JJ clusters

 In a move that is all set to spark another political row between Congress and BJP in the national capital, the Delhi government has decided to wrest control over all toilet blocks in JJ clusters from municipal corporations.

The decision comes an year after the Delhi government took over the possession of all major roads from civic bodies and transferred them to the public works department (PWD).

The decision of wielding control over toilet blocks was taken in a coordination meeting chaired by director of local bodies on February 22.

It was decided that all 214 toilet blocks in JJ clusters shall be transferred to the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB), which functions under direct control of the Delhi government, for uniform maintenance.

As per the minutes of the meeting which was held last month, the toilet blocks have to be transferred before March 31.

“It has been decided that for the purpose of carrying out uniform maintenance and care of all the toilet blocks falling in the JJ clusters which are presently under the control of the municipal corporations shall be transferred to DUSIB. The possession should be handed over by March 31 so that from April 1 onwards, their maintenance can be looked after by the DUSIB,” reads the minutes of the meeting.

The meeting also witnessed the presence of commissioners of all three municipal corporations. The decision has evoked sharp reactions from the leaders of BJP-ruled municipal corporations.

The BJP leaders termed the decision as a political stunt to garner votes in the upcoming Assembly elections as the dwellers in the JJ clusters formed a major vote bank for Congress.

“It is a conspiracy to weaken the municipal corporations. First, it took control over the major roads and now, it is eyeing the toilet blocks,” said Yogendra Chandolia, chairman of North Corporation’s standing committee.

“We will pass a resolution in the next standing committee meeting on March 6 against the decision. If required, we will also meet the Lieutenant Governor over the issue,” said Chandolia.

Subhash Arya, leader of house in South Corporation said Congress was desperately trying to garner votes in JJ clusters as it lost most of its seats in these areas during last year’s civic body elections. Arya said the decision was not in the interest of public as sanitation was the prime responsibility of civic bodies.

It is noteworthy that BJP has levelled charges of weakening the municipal corporations against Sheila Dikshit government in past as well. The trifurcation of erstwhile MCD was opposed by the BJP.

The issue was also raised when the Delhi government decided to take over arterial roads measuring 60-feet width from the corporations last year.

A total of 673 such roads were transferred from municipal corporations to the Public Works Department (PWD). The government had alleged that the roads were taken away due to poor maintenance of major roads by the civic bodies.