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The Delhi government has agreed to make some adjustments to its proposal of dividing the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) into five smaller bodies and increasing number of wards from 272 to over 400 in the face of stiff opposition from a section of the ruling Congress.
The issue of splitting the MCD was discussed in detail at a meeting that Chief Minister Sheila Dik**** had with her cabinet colleagues today, most of whom favoured minor tweaking in the proposal to placate those opposing the move.
A minister, after the meeting, said the government had decided to go ahead with splitting of the MCD, but it was ready to keep the number of wards at 272.
"We are ready to make some adjustments. The number of wards may be increased after next year's municipal polls," the minister said, adding that the decision was taken as some of the party MLAs and councillors were opposed to increasing the number of wards.
Dik**** has been under attack from a section of her own party over the proposal to split the civic body.
The Congressmen, who are opposing the move, had even criticised Dik**** at a DPCC meeting last week for not holding consultation with party MLAs and councillors before the cabinet approved the proposal.
However, unfazed by the criticism, Dik**** had said she will go ahead with the proposal.
The Delhi cabinet earlier this month had decided "in principle" to split the MCD into five smaller bodies ahead of the 2012 municipal polls.
The cabinet had accepted the recommendations of a high-level committee, headed by health minister A.K. Walia, which suggested splitting the civic body into five smaller municipalities. The committee had also suggested increasing the total number of wards from current 272 to around 408.
Dik**** had said the government would reserve reserve 50 per cent seats for women if number of wards was increased to over 400.
The minister today said it won't be possible to reserve 50 per cent seats for women if number of wards was not increased. The MCD has 92 women councillors at present, which is 33 per cent of the total strength.
The issue of splitting the MCD was discussed in detail at a meeting that Chief Minister Sheila Dik**** had with her cabinet colleagues today, most of whom favoured minor tweaking in the proposal to placate those opposing the move.
A minister, after the meeting, said the government had decided to go ahead with splitting of the MCD, but it was ready to keep the number of wards at 272.
"We are ready to make some adjustments. The number of wards may be increased after next year's municipal polls," the minister said, adding that the decision was taken as some of the party MLAs and councillors were opposed to increasing the number of wards.
Dik**** has been under attack from a section of her own party over the proposal to split the civic body.
The Congressmen, who are opposing the move, had even criticised Dik**** at a DPCC meeting last week for not holding consultation with party MLAs and councillors before the cabinet approved the proposal.
However, unfazed by the criticism, Dik**** had said she will go ahead with the proposal.
The Delhi cabinet earlier this month had decided "in principle" to split the MCD into five smaller bodies ahead of the 2012 municipal polls.
The cabinet had accepted the recommendations of a high-level committee, headed by health minister A.K. Walia, which suggested splitting the civic body into five smaller municipalities. The committee had also suggested increasing the total number of wards from current 272 to around 408.
Dik**** had said the government would reserve reserve 50 per cent seats for women if number of wards was increased to over 400.
The minister today said it won't be possible to reserve 50 per cent seats for women if number of wards was not increased. The MCD has 92 women councillors at present, which is 33 per cent of the total strength.
