NEW DELHI: The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) on Thursday approved a series of welfare and infrastructure development proposals during its second council meeting held under the chairmanship of PWD Minister Parvesh Verma.
One of the key decisions was the approval of a one-time policy relaxation for regularising Type-I and Type-II municipal quarters in the names of spouses or wards of former NDMC employees. The decision applies even to cases where applications were delayed.
Penalties for overstay, including cases with dues up to Rs 24 lakh, will also be waived, Verma said, calling the move “a just reward for service and dignity.” NDMC will also withdraw related court cases where proceedings are ongoing.
In a major welfare boost for healthcare staff, the Council approved Hospital Patient Care Allowance (HPCA) and conveyance allowances for doctors and other health workers serving in NDMC-run hospitals and dispensaries.
The benefits will be granted with retrospective effect from July 1, 2017.
To improve power infrastructure, the Council approved the replacement of all 33 kV electric cables and feeders that are more than 35 years old under the Scheme-33 kV Division, citing frequent faults due to ageing systems.
To tackle waterlogging, the civic body cleared the purchase of hydraulic jetting and rodding machines for stormwater drainage maintenance, with a budget of Rs 5.2 crore sanctioned for procurement via the Government e-Marketplace portal.
In another key step, NDMC approved the replacement of 15,312 outdated mechanical water meters with smart meters, complementing the ongoing upgrade of 5,397 meters already under tendering. The full project cost is estimated at Rs 13.98 crore.