Delhi's Mayor Requests Removal of MCD Chief from Amit Shah
Click to start listening
Synopsis
On April 11, Delhi Mayor Mahesh Khichi urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to dismiss MCD Commissioner Ashwani Kumar over alleged arbitrary decisions regarding a new garbage user fee and increased commercial licenses. This appeal reflects ongoing tensions between the AAP and BJP over municipal governance.
Key Takeaways
- Delhi Mayor Mahesh Khichi criticized MCD Commissioner Ashwani Kumar.
- Kumar's decisions include a garbage user fee and increased commercial license fees.
- Allegations of ignoring elected officials were made by AAP leaders.
- Residents are facing increased financial burdens.
- Claims of political conspiracy between the BJP and MCD Commissioner.
New Delhi, April 11 (NationPress) - The Mayor of Delhi, Mahesh Khichi, has formally requested the removal of Ashwani Kumar, the Commissioner of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, in a letter addressed to Union Home Minister Amit Shah. This appeal stems from what Khichi describes as “arbitrary decisions” concerning the enforcement of a garbage user fee on property tax payers and an increase in the commercial license fee.
During a joint press briefing, Saurabh Bharadwaj, the Convenor of AAP in Delhi, alongside Mayor Khichi, accused the Commissioner of making these significant decisions without consulting the Mayor.
“The Commissioner did not engage with the Mayor before making these decisions,” Bharadwaj stated, suggesting that Ashwani Kumar was disregarding the elected officials of the civic body under the influence of the BJP-led Central Government.
The MCD has implemented a 15% increase in fees for trade license applications and established a mandatory garbage user fee for waste collection from both residential and commercial properties.
Bharadwaj asserted that the Commissioner has neglected to execute the people-friendly measures proposed by the AAP-dominated municipal House, including the property tax waiver for properties under 100 square yards and a 50% reduction in tax on properties between 100-500 square yards.
“The last Budget passed by the MCD to regularize 12,000 contract employees has not been put into effect,” the former Delhi Minister noted, claiming that the Commissioner is deliberately stalling the processing of these crucial files.
He further alleged that the Commissioner is advancing the BJP's agenda within the MCD.
Bharadwaj also criticized Delhi's BJP leaders for their opposition to the new levies introduced by the MCD, alleging a conspiracy between the BJP and the Commissioner to impose unpopular decisions.
Mayor Khichi expressed that the Commissioner has ignored his previous communications protesting the new fees.
“Delhi residents are already burdened with taxes, and now they face additional charges,” he remarked.
He accused the BJP government of placing new tax burdens on citizens since taking office in Delhi.
Khichi asserted that the voters of the city have been misled by the BJP, which instead of alleviating their financial strain, is imposing more taxes.
