The Impressive TimesNEW DELHI, 13 JUNE: Within weeks of reclaiming control of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has triggered a fresh wave of salary delays for municipal staff—reviving the very crisis it had presided over during its previous 15-year rule. Employees across all categories are now receiving their salaries 10 to 20 days late, warned AAP’s Leader of Opposition in the MCD, Ankush Narang, on Friday.
He reminded that under the AAP government, salaries had been regularised—deposited on the first of every month after years of BJP-led chaos, when workers were forced to wait up to six months for their wages. Slamming the BJP’s mismanagement, Ankush Narang exposed the gap between rhetoric and reality: “Last week, CM Rekha Gupta claimed ₹820 crore had been released to the MCD. But till date, not a single rupee has reached the civic body.”
Addressing a press conference on Friday, MCD LoP Ankush Narang stated that Delhi is now being governed by a “four-engine BJP government” – at the Centre, in the MCD, in the Delhi Government, and via the Lieutenant Governor (LG), whom CM Rekha Gupta herself refers to as the fourth engine. Despite all four engines being powered by the BJP, governance is in shambles.
“Last week, the BJP announced that the Delhi Government would release ₹3,282 crore to the MCD, of which the first tranche of ₹820 crore had been cleared. Media reports claimed the amount had been transferred, and CM Rekha Gupta herself asserted that the money had been released. Yet to this day, that ₹820 crore has not reached the MCD’s account,” said Ankush Narang.
He said the BJP had claimed that having the same party in the Centre and in Delhi would ensure better coordination and delivery. “But even after the DMC Act was amended to give the Centre more powers, both the BJP-led Central and Delhi Governments have failed. Their words and actions are miles apart. BJP leaders and MCD councillors are busy recording videos thanking CM Rekha Gupta – but if the ₹820 crore hasn’t reached MCD, what exactly are they thanking her for?” he asked.
Ankush Narang said the MCD’s condition has deteriorated rapidly under BJP’s two-month rule. “In just two and a half years of the AAP administration in MCD, we cleaned up the financial mess left by BJP’s 15 years of misrule. We cleared the massive salary backlogs that often left employees unpaid for six to eight months. Under AAP, employees started receiving salaries on the 1st of every month – even ahead of schedule during Diwali, and sometimes even on the 31st.”
“Now, just two months into BJP’s rule, salaries for sanitation workers are being delayed by 10–12 days. Group A, B, and C employees haven’t received last month’s salary. Salary backlogs of 2–3 months are returning. Recently, BJP threw a lavish retirement party for 60 employees at the Civic Centre’s ground floor, but their ₹100 crore in retirement dues – gratuity, PF, and other benefits – remain unpaid. Retired staff say the envelopes given to them by BJP were empty. No cheques inside.”
He further exposed the plight of workers: “Many haven’t received their pensions for years. Arrears are pending. Promotions due under MACP (Modified Assured Career Progression) after 10 years of service haven’t been granted. Probation period arrears are stuck. Even basic cashless medical benefits have not been provided. The BJP made tall promises but has failed to deliver – whether at the Centre, the State, or the MCD.”
Ankush Narang underscored the devastating impact of delayed salaries on workers’ families. “People are struggling to pay their children’s fees, to run their households. When AAP was in power, BJP used to accuse us of not sending funds to the MCD. But now that BJP controls both Delhi and the MCD, even with a BJP Mayor and Standing Committee Chairman, they are unable to act in the interests of staff and citizens.”
He also called out the BJP’s failed “Mega Safai Abhiyan”, saying it had been thoroughly exposed. “Garbage remains piled up on roads and vulnerable points in the Central Zone. Waste isn’t being collected, no new tippers have been added, and public complaints are going unanswered. BJP should be ashamed of failing to walk the talk.”
In closing, Ankush Narang demanded that the BJP immediately transfer the ₹820 crore to the MCD to ensure timely payment of salaries – as was consistently done under the AAP government. “CM Rekha Gupta’s assurance should not become another broken promise like the BJP’s ₹2,500 guarantee for women or the free LPG cylinders on Holi and Diwali. Delhi’s people trusted BJP – and BJP must now live up to those expectations.”
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