NEW DELHI: The ruling Congress and opposition Bharatiya Janata Party in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi on Monday traded charges over the issue of functioning of municipal schools and maintenance of parks in the Capital.

Taking part in the MCD House meeting, BJP Councillors alleged that the condition of municipal schools had deteriorated under Congress rule as several schools were still running in tents and there was no proper arrangement for drinking water and sanitation.

Alleging that the sorry state of schools had led to around one lakh students quitting these schools last year, Leader of Opposition Subhash Arya and senior BJP councillor Vijender Gupta said it was a matter of serious concern that more than 300 MCD schools were running in tents because the renovation or construction work could not be completed during the summer vacations.

Moreover, 381 schools do not have computer facility, while there was a shortage of 2,843 teachers. Similarly, out of the 1,811 schools, many do not even have proper supply of drinking water, they alleged.

However, Leader of MCD House Jitender Kochar said 44 MCD schools were running in tents due to ongoing renovation and construction work. "Similarly, 10 schools do not have electricity supply and 31 schools drinking water," he said, adding that civic body was working on these problems and would be sorted out soon.

The BJP members also alleged that the civic body officials had failed to improve conditions of city parks and the deliberative wing of the civic body is not taking any interest in the matter, a charge refuted by the ruling Congress Councillors.

Speaking on the issue, Congress MLA Mahabal Mishra, who was recently nominated to the civic body, urged the MCD officials to prepare a comprehensive plan for re-development and beautification of all civic body parks in the city. "In view of the Commonwealth Games 2010, the MCD needs to work towards making Delhi green and beautiful. The MCD should make a plan and start working on it. Money would not be a constraint in achieving it as the Delhi Government is ready to fund all such projects," Mr. Mishra added.

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