File photo of BJP leader Meenakshi Lekhi
BJP MP from New Delhi constituency Meenaksi Lekhi today took oath as an New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) member and made a slew of announcements ranging from the construction of flats for economically weaker sections to making the posh NDMC area plastic-free.
Ms Lekhi, who defeated Congress heavyweight Ajay Maken in her debut Lok Sabha election, took oath as New Delhi Municipal Council member today after the civic body recieved an official notification from the Union Home Ministry on Wednesday.
According to the NDMC Act 2011, the MP from the constituency and MLAs from New Delhi and Delhi Cantonment Assembly constituencies automatically become members of the council.
The ceremony was held during the council meeting which was also attended by AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal and other council members. Mr Kejriwal became MLA from New Delhi and hence an NDMC member after he defeated former Chief Minister Shiela Dikshit.
Ms Lekhi, who now becomes the presiding officer of the Council, made a number of announcements on the occasion.
In a major relief for the employees of the civic body, the BJP MP directed the council to provide subsidy in power bills for even those who do not reside in the areas under the jurisdiction of NDMC.
Till now, the subsidy is only provided to those employees who reside in the NDMC areas.
In an effort to make the NDMC area slum free, Ms Lekhi asked the civic body to identify surplus land to construct Type-I/II flats for the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS).
She also said that efforts should be made to putting an end to the use of plastic in NDMC areas.
Talking about the problem of tehbazari (street vending), Ms Lekhi said NDMC should find effective solutions to deal with it.
Ms Lekhi will be the second MP after Mr Maken to be part of the council after amendments were made in the Act in 2011.