New Delhi: The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) announced on Wednesday the implementation of a one-time property tax amnesty scheme for the financial year 2025-26.
During a House meeting, the MCD also addressed vector-borne diseases for the first time in two and a half years, highlighting its enhanced efforts to prevent outbreaks of dengue, malaria, and chikungunya.
Under the newly introduced ‘Sumpattikar Niptaan Yojana’ (SUNIYO), residents will have the opportunity to pay the principal amount of property tax for the current year (2025-26) along with the previous five years (from 2020-21 onwards) in a single payment. As part of this initiative, all prior dues, including interest and penalties incurred before 2020-21, will be waived, according to the municipal corporation.
The MCD noted that a similar initiative, the SAMRIDDHI scheme, was launched in 2022-23, which also provided a full waiver of old arrears for taxpayers who settled their recent dues—five years for residential properties and six years for non-residential properties.
The SUNIYO scheme will be applicable to all property types under the jurisdiction of the MCD.
In his inaugural General House meeting as Delhi Mayor, Raja Iqbal Singh also announced the removal of “user charges” associated with garbage collection from property tax, through a private member resolution. This user charge, currently levied alongside annual property tax, has faced opposition from both the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), as well as from various residents’ groups.
In a significant development, Singh, who was elected Mayor last month, has appointed Satya Sharma from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as the new Leader of the House.
Previously, Mukesh Goel served as the Leader of the House under the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). Goel has since resigned from the AAP and is now one of 16 councillors who have formed the Indraprastha Vikas Party (IVP), citing concerns over alleged neglect and underperformance within the civic body.
In a related matter, during discussions on dengue prevention, officials highlighted that with the monsoon season approaching, the MCD has intensified its efforts to combat outbreaks of dengue, malaria, chikungunya, and other waterborne diseases throughout the national capital.
In response to a question posed by Councillor Yogesh Verma during the ordinary May meeting of the MCD, the civic body presented a comprehensive action plan being executed by its relevant departments.
As part of its proactive strategy, the MCD has conducted fogging and spraying operations in 319,137 households, particularly targeting sensitive and high-risk areas. The civic body has also maintained a substantial stockpile of insecticides and chemicals, including 40,028 kg of Temephos granules, 8,496 kg of Alphacypermethrin, and 14,158 liters of mosquito larvicidal oil (MLO) to support these operations.
Furthermore, 13,000 bottles of 100 ml liquid chlorine are currently available, with plans to procure an additional 69,000 bottles shortly.
To enhance community awareness, an intensified Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) campaign is underway, utilizing leaflets, banners, bulk SMS, radio broadcasts, and free hoardings to disseminate vital information.
Regular water quality samples are being collected from sensitive locations, and oral rehydration salts (ORS) and chlorine are being distributed in vulnerable
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) is actively collaborating with Residents’ Welfare Associations (RWAs) to promote safe water storage practices, ensuring community engagement in public health initiatives.
In terms of medical preparedness, Hindu Rao Hospital, Swami Dayanand Hospital, and Kasturba Hospital have been designated as sentinel surveillance hospitals. These facilities have reserved beds specifically for patients with dengue, malaria, and chikungunya, with the capacity to expand if necessary. They are equipped with essential medications, intravenous fluids, oral rehydration solutions, and platelets, and offer round-the-clock access to diagnostic and treatment services.
Additionally, the MCD has initiated the establishment of fever clinics within its dispensaries and hospitals to facilitate early diagnosis and prompt treatment of illnesses. A dedicated workforce is actively involved in anti-larval operations, indoor residual spraying, and ongoing disease surveillance to combat the spread of infections.
The civic body has identified Civil Lines, Urban Sadar, Pahar Ganj, and Shahdara (North) as high-risk zones for vector-borne and waterborne diseases, and is maintaining heightened vigilance in these areas to safeguard public health.
