Municipal Corporation of Delhi – Standing Committee Members to Retire by Lottery
Municipal Corporation of Delhi – The Municipal Corporation of Delhi has initiated the process to retire nine members of its influential Standing Committee through a draw of lots, in line with statutory provisions governing its functioning. The decision was discussed and endorsed during a committee meeting held on Monday, marking a routine but significant administrative step within the civic body.
Mandatory Rotation of Committee Members
Under the rules that regulate the Standing Committee, half of its members are required to step down after completing one year from the date of the committee’s formation. Officials confirmed that the outgoing members will be determined through a lottery system to ensure transparency and compliance with established norms.
The Standing Committee currently includes members elected by the full Corporation during meetings conducted on June 8, 2023, September 26, 2024, and June 3, 2025. In addition, representatives chosen by various ward committees in September 2024 and June 2025 are also part of the panel. The retirement process is expected to pave the way for fresh appointments, maintaining the statutory balance within the body.
Role of the Standing Committee in Civic Administration
The Standing Committee is regarded as the most powerful statutory arm of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi. It plays a decisive role in scrutinising and approving major tenders, contracts, and financial proposals before these matters are placed before the House for final consideration.
Given its authority over high-value municipal decisions, any change in its composition is closely watched within civic and political circles. The rotation mechanism is designed to ensure accountability and periodic renewal of leadership within the committee.
Approval of Park Adoption Scheme Under PPP Model
In addition to discussing the retirement process, the committee cleared a proposal aimed at improving the maintenance of parks and green spaces across the capital. The plan allows Resident Welfare Associations to adopt and manage parks under a Public-Private Partnership framework.
The initiative is intended to address persistent challenges faced by the horticulture department, particularly manpower shortages. At present, the department oversees more than 15,000 parks spread across nearly 5,200 acres. However, officials have acknowledged that the shortage of gardeners has affected upkeep in several areas.
Under the approved framework, RWAs will be permitted to deploy their own staff for maintenance work. In return, the civic body will extend financial assistance. The policy outlines a support amount of 13,500 per acre per month across all 12 municipal zones. Participating associations will also receive free compost generated at green waste management centres to support landscaping and soil enrichment.
Eligibility Criteria for Resident Welfare Associations
To participate in the scheme, RWAs must meet specific conditions. They should be registered under the Societies Act and must have completed at least three years since registration. Associations are also required to maintain an operational bank account and submit audited financial statements along with activity reports for the previous financial year.
Officials indicated that these criteria are intended to ensure that only credible and accountable organisations are entrusted with public green spaces.
Revival of Earlier Policy and Extension of SUNIYO Scheme
The park adoption policy is not entirely new. It was originally introduced more than a decade ago but was discontinued in 2022 due to financial constraints and unresolved payment issues. The latest decision effectively revives the initiative, with the aim of strengthening community participation in civic maintenance.
Separately, the committee also approved a proposal to extend the deadline for payments under the one-time property tax amnesty scheme known as SUNIYO. The extension is expected to provide additional relief to taxpayers seeking to settle pending dues under the scheme.
These decisions collectively reflect ongoing administrative adjustments within the Municipal Corporation of Delhi as it seeks to streamline governance and improve urban infrastructure management in the city.