AAP marks one year in office
Government plans elevated bus corridors; arrears for metered water connections till 30 November to be waived off
New Delhi: Delivering what he called “good news for the people of Delhi", chief minister Arvind Kejriwal marked his government’s first anniversary on Sunday by inaugurating 20 polyclinics and pledging to build elevated corridors for fast-moving buses.
“We are planning to construct elevated BRT (bus rapid transit) so buses can travel without any hindrance. It will be like the metro runs. You will be able to tell someone the exact travel time while travelling on this road," Kejriwal said. Three thousand buses will be introduced in the national capital by the end of this year and people living in the city’s sprawling slums will be moved to permanent “multi-level accommodation", Kejriwal added.
The promises came at an event in central Delhi held to mark the government’s year in office. The event, which was broadcast live online and on television, was attended by legislators and government officials and Kejriwal took calls from residents.
“One year ago, people elected us with a historic verdict of 67 out of 70 seats. By giving vote, the people gave us the right to take decisions for them. People also give tax and that’s what makes the government function. I’m here to give the people an account of the work that has been done. Today, there is good news for the people of Delhi," Kejriwal said while addressing the audience.
The AAP government took oath on 14 February last year to form the first non-Congress and non-Bharatiya Janata Party administration in the state.
Laying out the government’s road map for the next year, Kejriwal said: “We have a lot of work to do in the coming year. We need to make the city enabled with free WiFi and close circuit television. Aam Aadmi canteens and elevated bus rapid transport need to be built."
He also pledged, “3,000 new buses by the end of the year, JJ (jhuggi jhopri, or slum) clusters—first they (slum dwellers) will be shifted, only then will their slums be broken, midday meals will be introduced in schools and mohalla sabhas (community meetings) will be given more power."
Giving an account of the work done so far, Kejriwal said, “The biggest complaint of people used to be of water and electricity. By 31 March, we will have given piped water to more than 200 colonies. We will give piped water to every colony by December 2017. We will remove water tanks from those areas that have got piped water."
The Delhi government on Sunday announced that arrears for metered water connections till 30 November 2015 will be waived off on the basis of house tax categories—for A and B categories there will be a 25% waiver; the waiver will be 50% for C, 75% for D and 100% for E, F, G & H category housing.
Kejriwal added, “We have to make the most investment in education and health."
The government aims to finish building 1,000 mohalla (neighbourhood) clinics by December and 150 polyclinics by February 2017. So far the government has built one mohalla clinic on a trial basis and two polyclinics. On Sunday, 20 new polyclinics were inaugurated by Kejriwal.
Opposition parties criticised the government, claiming it has made the people of Delhi suffer.
“Misogynist anti-women AAP Govt. No women in AAP cabinet, neither in highest decision making bodies of the party," tweeted Congess spokesperson Sharmistha Mukherjee. “Anti poor AAP. Shakur basti demolition without rehabilitation, no pensions for old, widows, challenged ppl since last one year."
She added, “People of Delhi are suffering due to conflict & blame game politics."
On being questioned on the economic model of the government, Kejriwal said “It is a new kind of economics that we have brought in and we encourage economists to study this. We have not given subsidies but taken steps to improve revenue collection."
Criticising the central government for giving subsidies to the rich, he said “The central government instead has given a waiver to the rich and waived off loans of (industrialists like) Adani and Ambani."
Analyst said that even though substantial steps may not have been taken in the year, the AAP government continues to enjoy the support of the people.
“One year in power for the Delhi government at the back of such a majority shows that the faith of the electorate is still strong. Their strategies are connecting with the citizens. Though nothing substantive has happened as yet, they seem to be pitching themselves on the right side of themes," said Manisha Priyam, a Delhi-based political analyst.
“Though not high on deliveries. People are not counting their faults. They continue to enjoy the support of the underclass," she added.
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