Municipal Corporation of Delhi
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The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) is a municipal corporation that governs most of the metropolis of Delhi in India. It is one of three municipal corporations in the National Capital Territory of Delhi, the others being New Delhi Municipal Council, and Delhi Cantonment Board. "The MCD is among the largest municipal bodies in the world providing civic services to more than estimated population of 13.78 million citizens in the capital city. It is next only to Tokyo in terms of area."[1]. The municipal corporation covers an area of 1,397.29 km² (539.5 mi²).
"Within its jurisdiction are some of the most densely populated areas in the world. It has also the unique distinction of providing civic services to rural and urban villages, resettlement colonies, regularised unauthorised colonies, Slum/Squatter Settlements, private 'katras' etc."
"MCD came into existence on the 7th of April, 1958 under and Act of Parliament. Since then, the Municipal Body has always been alive in its constitution and functioning to the growing needs of citizens. The 1993 amendment of the Act brought about fundamental changes in composition, functions, governance and administration of the corporation."
However, corruption rules in India, and this is especially true for the MCD. Though crores of rupees are generated through taxes every year, a fraction of that is spent on the development of city. The mainstay of the corporation are Junior Engineer and Executive Engineers. The MCD is responsible of preventing any unauthorised construction in the city but with the connivance of MCD Engineers anyone can construct illegal structures in any place, even on government land. Hence, Delhi today has more than 3000 unauthorised colonies which have not been constructed according to the Delhi Master Plan. It thus has failed miserably to provide basic amenities to the largest section of Delhi.
The entire MCD area is divided into 12 zones [2]:
- City
- Central
- South
- Karol Bagh
- Sadar Paharganj
- West
- Civil Lines
- Shahdara South
- Shahdara North
- Rohini
- Narela
- Najafgarh
The Bharatiya Janata Party won a simple majority in April 2007 elections, by claiming 168 out of 272 wards in the corporation. Arti Mehra therfore, became the current Mayor of Delhi. The Indian National Congress won 64 seats, with the remaining seats going to a number of other parties and independent candidates. [3]
