With an aim to mingle more with the common janta, the Aam Aadmi Party on Monday held their third phase of Delhi Dialogue at a park in Sangam Vihar and discussed issues related to power and water in the Capital while releasing a roadmap for the future. Promising free water for the residents of Delhi along with 50 per cent reduction in electricity bills, the party had a clear cut package for the
aam aadmi. This phase of the dialogue was the culmination of discussions with technical experts, non-profit organisations and former MlAs, as well citizens of many water-deficient areas in Delhi. According to the party, water and electricity are the main concern for the residents of Delhi. Delhi Dialogue convener Ashish Khetan laid down the framework of the suggested change in focus areas and the process of developing these policy interventions after which AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal laid out the blueprint.
While giving free “lifeline” water to every resident of Delhi, Kejriwal said that every household would get 20,000 litres per month, which is approximately 700 litres per day. Additionally, he said, “All the group housing societies that are not connected with the Delhi Jal Board water supply network will be connected with the DJB water pipes immediately within a month after AAP forms the Government in Delhi. Water will be for all not for some. Within five years, DJB piped network will be laid all over Delhi and water connections will be provided to the 14 lakh households that do not currently have piped water supply.”
The party also said that public hydrants and public hand pumps will be installed for poor, homeless and other destitute communities on roads or in slum clusters, as well as for passersby to ensure availability of free drinking water to everybody in Delhi.
Kejriwal elucidated that the party will also work towards the abolition of the category B in the current tariff structure.
In terms of electricity, the party said that while bills will be reduced by half, there will be round-the-clock electricity within five years. “Currently, the people of Delhi are forced to pay an exorbitant amount for the electricity purchased by discoms.
AAP Government will ensure discoms move out from expensive purchase of electricity and it will be procured at affordable prices.
CAG audit of discoms will be completed. No tariff hike will be allowed until this audit is completed. A Delhi specific solar plan will be evolved as part of developing non-conventional sources of energy and group housing societies will be provided incentives for generating solar power.