MCD headed for logjam in absence of key panel

ACCORDING TO DMC ACT, THE COMMISSIONER IS EXPECTED TO PRESENT BUDGET ESTIMATES BEFORE THE STANDING COMMITTEE BEFORE DEC 10

- Paras Singh

NEW DELHI: Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) commissioner Ashwani Kumar is likely to be unable to present the municipal budget proposals for the next financial year before the deadline of December 10, senior officials said on Monday, pointing out that the formation of the standing committee — which controls the purse strings of the civic body — is still in limbo, more than two years after the corporation elections were held.

A senior MCD official said that no meeting of the House of councillors has been scheduled for Tuesday.

"Any meeting would require a notice of at least 72 hours. No such notices have been issued. The budget needs to be presented before the standing committee which is not in place," the official added.

The proposals are said to be worth around ₹17,000 crore, officials said.