As the dust settles down after the end of a high-decibel Delhi Assembly election campaign, Business Line looks at the key promises made by Arvind Kejriwal, national convenor of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), who got an astounding mandate to ‘complete unfinished tasks’. Apart from promises, such as free Wi-Fi and CCTVs to ensure women’s safety, the ‘party with a difference’ will be watched closely as it strives to keep promises made by it, especially with limited financial resources in hand.
DELHI JANLOKPAL BILL : AAP has resolved to pass the Delhi Jan Lokpal Bill, which will include public officials (including the Chief Minister, Ministers and MLAs) of the Delhi government in the purview of investigation. It also promises citizens’ charter in all government offices and protections for whistleblowers.
WATER : Lifeline water of 20k litre a month to each household with metered connection and piped water connection to every home in five years, elimination of water mafia, regulation of private tankers and operationalisations of treatment plants. Privatisation of Delhi Jal Board to be stalled and performance audit of private contracts to be done.
LAND REFORMS : Extension of Lal Dora to accommodate for the growing population. No land to be acquired in Delhi’s villages without consent of Gram Sabha. Harassment caused due to Section 33 and 81 of the Delhi Land Reform Act that doesn’t permit a farmer to sell his agricultural land will be removed.
HEALTH : Budgetary allocation and spending on healthcare to be hiked from Rs 2,700 crore to ₹ 4,000 crore. Vacancies of 4,000 doctors and 15,000 paramedics to be filled and contractual posting and appointments will be abolished. 900 more primary health centres to be built and health cards for all residents in Delhi.
EDUCATION : To spend at least 20 per cent of its annual budget on education. Headmasters will be given financial and administrative autonomy. Government schools to be made as good as private schools. 500 new schools with special focus on building secondary and senior secondary schools will be opened. 20 new colleges will be opened. Employment of contractual/temporary teachers in both government and private schools and colleges will be regularised.
TRADE : VAT rates in Delhi will be made the lowest in the country. Routine VAT raids will be shut down. Rules and regulations for running and establishing industry, licensing procedures, single-window clearances, VAT and other tax structures of Delhi will be simplified. Wholesale trade to be revived and foreign direct investment in retail trade not to be allowed.