The Chief Minister-designate Arvind Kejriwal started taking steps on the 70-point agenda announced in the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)’s manifesto. Delhi Chief Secretary Deepak Mohan Spolia met Kejriwal on Wednesday and briefed him about the various schemes and programmes undertaken by respective departments.
Kejriwal reportedly asked him to give a powerpoint presentation of each departments based on promises made in the manifesto by February 19. In other words, new Chief Minister Kejriwal will review all departments of Delhi Government on February 19.
On Wednesday, the Chief Secretary also briefed Kejriwal on development and ongoing projects in Delhi. Having won the 2015 elections with brute majority, expectations from the people are very high and the AAP leadership and Kejriwal are fully conscious of this fact, top sources said on Wednesday.
Insiders said that Kejriwal has directed the Chief Secretary to be ready for review of each department with detailed road map of promises made in AAP manifesto. Some of the important promises made by AAP in its manifesto include Passage of Delhi Jan lokpal Bill, to legislate Swaraj Act, full statehood to Delhi, reduction of power tariff, CAG audit of discoms, to make Delhi a solar city, 700 litre water free to each household, 500 new schools, 20 new colleges, free wi-fi in Delhi, drug-free city, justice for 1984 riots victim, extension of lal dora, setting up unified transport policy, better facilities for industrial areas and end of inspector raj.
Insiders said that Kejriwal was not interested in Spolia’s presentation and he handed over his 70-point agenda and directed to bring a blueprint or road map for fulfilling all promises of the manifesto.
The first priority would be to bring down power tariff and 700 litre free water supply to each household. Insiders said financial implication of providing 50 per cent power tariff reduction is expected to be around Rs 1600 crore annually while Rs 160 crore for water subsidy. It is noted that financial health of Delhi is not sound. The revenue generating departments have failed to meet the target in the first three quarters of the current fiscal year.
Sources say that there would not be any problems in fulfilling promises that are related to Delhi Government. The issues which are directly related to the Central Government that include full statehood to Delhi, extension of lal dora, unified transport policy, lokpal Bill, Swaraj bill, opening of new schools and colleges as land is not the State Government subject would not be easy to fulfil,” they added.