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What does a reunified MCD mean for Delhi?

DailyBiteDecember 1, 2022 | 13:28 IST

The civic body polls in Delhi will take place in a single phase on December 4 and the counting of votes will be done on December 7. Since its trifurcation in 2012,  the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) is going for polls as a unified body for the first time.

A total of 1,349 candidates are contesting the polls and the main fight is between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

Earlier this year, the Union government passed the Delhi Municipal Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2022. With this, the East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC), the North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC), and the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) cease to exist, and the unified body would be called the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD).

We take a look at the formation of MCD, the trifurcation, then the reunification and how this will change the national capital's power structure:

The MCD: The MCD was formed as an independent body in 1958 through a Special Act of the Parliament. It is one of the largest municipal bodies with around 1.1 crore people under its jurisdiction.

It comes second only to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, which oversees an estimated 1.4 crore people in Tokyo's villages, towns, cities, and special wards, reported India Today.

 

Amendment in 1993: The amendment in 1993 brought about fundamental changes in the composition, functions, governance, and administration of the corporation. The number of councilors was increased to 134, besides the members of the Lok Sabha who represent wholly or partly the constituencies of the municipal corporation, reported India Today.

Trifurcation: In 2011, by amending the Municipal Corporation of Delhi Act, the corporation was divided into three corporations- North, East, and South Delhi Municipal Corporation in 2012.

Earlier, there was one mayor in one corporation, but now there are three mayors in Delhi. The trifurcation was done thinking it will make the governance easier and the roles will be more specified.

 

Unification in 2022: The President of India in April approved the MCD reunification bill. The terms of the three corporations - SDMC, NDMC, and EDMC - ended on May 18, May 19, and May 22 respectively.

Delhi is governed by five separate local bodies, including three MCDs, New Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC), and Delhi Cantonment Board. The MCD used to govern almost 98 per cent of Delhi till 2012 when the trifurcation happened.

A stronger MCD: After the trifurcation, there were different decision-making bodies resulting in confusion over the implementation of several schemes. The central government believes that a single, well-equipped entity would be better to manage, and it will also reduce administrative expenses

The Centre is also of the view that after the reunification, it will be easier to provide funds to the MCD and also to implement flagship schemes for which funds are provided.

 

Power tussle: When the MCD was unified, the mayor's position used to carry a lot of weight because he/she represented three municipal bodies. Now, after the reunification, the mayor once again will be a strong voice in the national capital. This means Delhi will have three governing authorities now.

It was one of the reasons why the AAP government opposed this bill in Parliament. Now, other than the CM and the LG, the MCD will also have a larger say in the policy-making and taking of decisions.

Trifurcation of power? So, this means that even though the municipal bodies are getting unified, the executive power of the national capital will be trifurcated in a way. This may lead to political tussles, especially when the mayor and the CM are of different political parties.

Last updated: December 01, 2022 | 13:28
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