Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP Government formally kicked off its campaign to highlight the work done in 100 days of governance at an Auto Samvaad held in North Delhi’s Burari area on Sunday.
Setting the tone for comparing work done in 100 days of AAP Government with one year of Modi Government at the Centre, Delhi Chief Minister Kejriwal and Transport Minister Gopal Rai listed out the achievements and the promises fulfilled by their Government ever since AAP came to power in February this year.
The samvaad also saw declaration of national ambitions by the party when Rai announced that while “for five years, Arvind Kejriwal will change the face of Delhi as its Chief Minister, five years hence, he will change the face of the nation as its Prime Minister”.
“What happened in Delhi this February will be repeated in the whole nation after five years,” said Rai.
Meanwhile, addressing a gathering of autorickshaw drivers, Kejriwal mentioned various steps that his Government has taken to address the complaints of auto drivers and added that while his Government will serve the autorickshaw drivers and their family, the auto drivers should “return the favour” by serving the people of Delhi.
Kejriwal also said a mechanism is being put in place to increase auto fares every year on April 1 according to a pre-determined formula.
“This Government is your Government. We will serve you and we will serve your family. But in return, we want you to serve the people of Delhi,” said Kejriwal to a mass gathering of auto drivers, adding that if people of Delhi are inconvenienced because of any auto driver, strict action will be taken against him.
Taking a sideswipe at Modi Government at the Centre, Kejriwal said his Government has accomplished in 100 days what the Central Government couldn’t in over one year.
Pointing out that it’s the first time he is addressing the auto drivers after winning the elections, Kejriwal said that he wanted to come in front of them only when he had something to show for.
listing out the promises that his Government fulfilled that it had made to auto drivers, Kejriwal said that his Government has taken away the powers of Delhi Police to impound autos for minor offences under Rule 66/192 of Motor Vehicles Act, and has given those powers to the Transport Department.
He said that a committee has also been set up to come up with a formula for increase in auto fares with consultation with the auto drivers.
“We have done away with 66/192 A and have taken the powers of police to impound your autos for offences like not wearing uniform, or overcharging, or refusal,” said Kejriwal. But there are four exceptions for which police can still impound vehicles: driving without permit, without licence, without fitness certificate or under influence of alcohol.
Earlier, Transport Minister Gopal Rai said to cheers from the auto drivers that the Government has done away with requirement to produce 8th pass certificate for renewal of licence. “Also, you had to pay Rs 16,000 to Rs 17,000 to install a GPS-enabled meter in your autos but we have listed many vendors who sell it for Rs 8,000-Rs 10,000. You can now buy GPS-enabled meters from them. We have also made provision of transfer of autos, which were registered in the names of the disabled,” said Rai.
Other achievements listed out by Kejriwal and Rai included setting up of 425 TSR ‘Halt and Go’ spots (100 of which are already in place) and their right to refuse passengers while going home.
Both Kejriwal and Rai however, urged the drivers to perform their duty with complete sincerity and honesty.