Releasing the Congress party’s manifesto for the Assembly elections, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit put in plain and simple words: “We would want to put an end to multiplicity of powers in the Capital. But full statehood is not possible.” Outlining the Congress’s agenda to keep its promise of development if elected for a third term, Dikshit said: “We have learnt from our experience over the last 10 years that Delhi cannot be granted full statehood because of the presence of the Central government in the city. We would instead ask for a ‘special’ status and ask for more rights, such as bringing the municipal corporation and the DDA directly under the Delhi government’s control.” She said along with its demand for “special status” for Delhi, the party would also demand a say in maintaining law and order and administration of Delhi Police.
Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee president J P Aggarwal said, “We want special status mainly to ensure that all development funds are under one head and are spent effectively.” Member of Parliament from New Delhi constituency Ajay Maken, seen as Dikshit’s bete noire, was the only Congress MP absent from the event. Other MPs — Krishna Tirath, Kapil Sibal, Jagdish Tytler and Sajjan Kumar — were present to show a united front.
Besides going soft on the demand for complete statehood, the manifesto mainly presents a track record of the Dikshit government’s efforts over two terms. “The Delhi Metro is being expanded to reach every part of the city, and Delhi is perhaps the first city to have air-conditioned public transport buses in the country,” the chief minister said. “We will also have more low-floor buses by 2010.” She stressed that the 2010 Commonwealth Games would be given priority once infrastructure projects are completed.
Reacting to BJP’s ‘chargesheet’ issued last week against her administration, Dikshit said the government has introduced better efficiency and transparency in governance and will continue doing so. “We have worked towards empowering women by introducing the Ladli scheme,” she said. “Each girl registered under this scheme is entitled to get Rs 1 lakh after she passes Class XII.” Dikshit said her party has committed to building another 4 lakh to 5 lakh homes for the urban poor in next four years.
Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee president J P Aggarwal said, “We want special status mainly to ensure that all development funds are under one head and are spent effectively.” Member of Parliament from New Delhi constituency Ajay Maken, seen as Dikshit’s bete noire, was the only Congress MP absent from the event. Other MPs — Krishna Tirath, Kapil Sibal, Jagdish Tytler and Sajjan Kumar — were present to show a united front.
Besides going soft on the demand for complete statehood, the manifesto mainly presents a track record of the Dikshit government’s efforts over two terms. “The Delhi Metro is being expanded to reach every part of the city, and Delhi is perhaps the first city to have air-conditioned public transport buses in the country,” the chief minister said. “We will also have more low-floor buses by 2010.” She stressed that the 2010 Commonwealth Games would be given priority once infrastructure projects are completed.
Reacting to BJP’s ‘chargesheet’ issued last week against her administration, Dikshit said the government has introduced better efficiency and transparency in governance and will continue doing so. “We have worked towards empowering women by introducing the Ladli scheme,” she said. “Each girl registered under this scheme is entitled to get Rs 1 lakh after she passes Class XII.” Dikshit said her party has committed to building another 4 lakh to 5 lakh homes for the urban poor in next four years.
Achievments: Successful privatisation of power sector, and supplying second-cheapest power tariff among metropolitan cities.No increase in power tariff since 2004 .Power generation increased from 653 MW in 1998 (when Sheila Dikshit became CM for first term) to 1,380 MW in 2008-09.Sonia Vihar water treatment plant commissioned. Water supply capacity increased from 580 MGD in 1998 to 914 MGD in 2008-09.Ladli scheme, in which nearly 1.3 lakh have been registered so far. Improvement of government school board results: pass percentage up from 27 t0 90. 2,100 citizen groups participating in Bhagidari, also involving 2 lakh students as part of eco-clubs. Mission Convergence: Setting up Samajik Suvidha Kendra through which 47 different schemes concerning 9 departments are accessible under one window. First state to introduce Right to Information Act. Successful establishment of Yamuna River development Authority (cleaning the Yamuna, though, finds no space in 2008 manifesto). Number of hospitals doubled to 32; beds doubled to almost 8,000 .
Infrastructure and Transport (pat on own back & promises): Delhi to have network of about 55 flyovers. 28 have been completed in the past decade and 27 more to come. Also, widening of Nelson Mandela Marg and Asaf Ali Marg. Expansion of Delhi Metro to about 250 km to be completed, making it the longest single network covered by Metro .Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor finds no mention in 2008 election manifesto but a two-corridor monorail network spanning 30 km is on the cards. Added to it are three routes of Light rail transit covering a length of about 43 km. Blueline buses to be replaced by low-floor and air-conditioned DTC buses; 6,000 buses to be on the roads by 2010 .Besides a signal-free Ring Road, 10 more foot over-bridges to be constructed. 40 underpasses to be completed. Claims to have built 13 underpasses and 29 underpasses. New bus depots and new ISBT’s in the pipeline .Elevated East-West corridor connecting CP to East Delhi . Process of issuing of drivers’ licence to be computerised and made faster.
Health: Rashtriya Swasth Bima Yogna to provide health cover to families below poverty line; hospitalisation benefit up to Rs 30,000 per family every year . 14 new hospitals under construction.Compensation to be given on death due to accident will be Rs 75,000 .Stress on biomedical waste management.
Power and Water: Promises to make Delhi power-surplus state by 2010 . Power generation to increase to 3450 MW in 2010-12 from 1,380 MW currently. 22 new 220-KV sub-stations to be commissioned; power department to set up grievances cell . 109 underground water reservoirs planned for Delhi; 60 already completed .Water treatment plants in Okhla and Dwarka under construction. Water and sewerage system to reach all rural and urban villages, nearly Rs 919 crore already sanctioned. Augmentation of sewage system and renovation of existing sewage treatment plants .
Housing for Urban poor: 10 lakh dwelling units planned to relocate slum dwellers. Claims 10,000 houses ready for allotment . Low-cost flats; Rs 60,000 to be provided to cover cost, allottees to be given longterm soft loans at the time of allotment to recover remaining cost. About 3,000 low-cost houses to be allotted to industrial workers .
Unauthorised Colonies: Promises to stick by its decision to regularise 1,639 unauthorised colonies. Claims Rs 2,800 sanctioned to lay sewer lines, water, roads and electrification.
Rural Development: Increased compensation for acquired land .Claims Delhi Rural Board has taken up 105 projects, costing about Rs 427 crore. Besides extension of Lal Dora, house tax concession to be given to urban and rural villages. Rejuvenation of ponds, improvement of veterinary services, and establishment of wholesale flower market at Ghazipur in East Delhi.
Education: Introduction of primary classes in government schools, additional outlay for Sarv Siksha Abhiyan . Free geometry boxes and textbooks to be given. Excursion tours abroad for teachers who have presented 100% results in over 3 years . New industrial training institutes; promises 3 more working women’s hostels
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Shame on congress for using Sajjan kumar and Jagdish Tytler to release the manifesto in Delhi
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