New Delhi, March 13 Amidst protests over alleged casteist remarks against an AAP councillor, the MCD general house meeting made some key decisions on Friday and approved the proposal to introduce cremation using cow dung cakes at two of the city's crematoria.
During the meeting, the civic body regularized the services of 105 sanitation workers. Delhi Mayor Raja Iqbal Singh said that the Delhi Municipal Corporation (MCD) would continue the process of regularizing eligible sanitation workers in a "swift and transparent manner" so that they can receive the benefits of permanent employment.
Singh said that the house also approved the proposal to supply treated wastewater to municipal parks in Sunder Nagri, Shastri Park, IP Extension, Laxmi Nagar and nearby areas by remodeling an existing pump house for a sludge drain.
"Treated wastewater from the proposed wastewater treatment plant will be used for maintaining greenery in nearby municipal parks," he said, adding that the move would support efforts to improve the green cover in the city.
To undertake the pilot project to utilize 100 per cent 'uplas' (cow dung cakes) for cremation, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) recommended two NGOs at the meeting. The pilot, which aims to promote more environmentally sustainable cremation practices and reduce the use of conventional firewood, will be run at the Green Park crematorium in the South Zone and the Dwarka Sector-24 crematorium in the Najafgarh Zone.
The house also approved a proposal to involve community organizations in maintaining cremation and burial facilities. As part of the initiative, 24 NGOs, resident welfare societies, and self-help groups have been finalized to adopt, develop, and maintain crematoria, burial grounds, and cemeteries within the corporation's jurisdiction.
The meeting also saw proposals on ward-level civic issues, including sanitation, health services, civic amenities, and infrastructure development across different parts of the city.
Meanwhile, the mayor alleged that some councillors from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) attempted to disrupt the proceedings of the house. Despite the disruptions, he said, discussions on key civic matters continued.
AAP councillor and leader of the opposition, Ankush Narang, alleged that when a demand was raised in the house to discuss the issue of the alleged attack on councillor Jyoti Gautam, the mayor hurriedly passed the agenda and adjourned the house.
"The AAP demands a fair investigation into the entire matter and strict action against the casteist slurs and physical assault by BJP MLA Umang Bajaj against Dalit woman councillor Jyoti Gautam of Ward 140," Narang said.
AAP MP Sanjay Singh alleged on Thursday at a press conference that when Gautam visited her ward to inspect road work underway along with a party worker, some individuals linked to Bajaj attacked the worker and misbehaved with the councillor.