NMCD move on shops within maternity centre draws flak

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, February 20

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) today slammed the BJP-ruled North Delhi Municipal Corporation (North MCD) for making plans to convert the maternity centre at Sant Nagar into a commercial complex, accusing it of “insensitivity” towards the rights of women and children.

The party in the run-up to the MCD polls claimed that the North MCD wants to generate revenue at the cost of health of pregnant woman and newborns.

According to the AAP, not a single woman in the last three years has received the Central government’s declared assistance of Rs 6,000 each for pregnant women under the National Food Security Act.

AAP leader Richa Pandey claimed that the Modi government has never been serious about woman issues while taking a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi alleging that he used his mother for political mileage.

“On New Year, our Prime Minister Narendra Modi rebranded the same old scheme but no move was made to implement it. But what is more shameful is that in retrospect, Modi Sarkar revised the sum down to Rs 5,000 and made it applicable for one child only. This shows lack of seriousness of Modi Sarkar. This is not surprising from Modiji who can use his mother too for political benefit,” Pandey said.

MLA Sarita Singh said, “North Delhi Municipal Corporation is going to develop a shopping complex within a Maternity and Child Welfare Centre at Sant Nagar, Rani Bagh and will sell the shops to generate revenue.”