New Delhi, Sep 13 - In a decision of considerable significance to millions of Delhi residents, the central government is believed to have finally agreed to put the poorly-run Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) under the control of the state government.

'We have approved it (placing MCD under the Delhi government). A note has been sent to the Delhi government,' a senior home ministry official confirmed to IANS.

The move comes ahead of the Commonwealth Games to be held in the capital next year and the need to present to the millions of visitors a megalopolis that looks and functions as a world-class city.

The MCD, which caters to nearly 96 percent of the land area in the city, is run by the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and is currently under the central government.

'The things will be formalised in the next week after taking into account the views of all the stakeholders,' the official added.

The Congress-led Delhi government and the MCD have always crossed swords, while the former accuses it of 'inefficiency', the latter cites 'step-motherly' treatment in fund allocations.

In the past few days, the demand for state government's direct control over the civic body has grown strong as rains brought the capital to a standstill, and Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit slammed the agency for 'poor performance'.