lieutenant-Governor Najeeb Jung, who is now administering Delhi after promulgation of President’s Rule in Delhi, has endorsed all the decisions taken by the Arvind Kejriwal Government, including power and water subsidy and 50 per cent waiver of power bills to those who participated and supported the Bijli Paani Andolan launched by the Aam Aadmi Party in March 2012.
Jung also took a major decision vis-a-vis power and water subsidy that they will continue in the next financial year as well. It only means Delhiites will keep receiving subsided power and 667 litres of free water per day to each and every household which has a functional water meter connection. The subsidy for power and water was applicable till March 31. The l-G who reviewed the previous Government’s decisions, also directed the Finance Department to make provisions in the ‘vote on account’ for providing relief to residents of Delhi on water and power. However, the l-G did not agree with the controversial Delhi Jan lokpal Bill and the Delhi Swaraj Bill propounded by the Kejriwal regime as both Bills were not approved in the House.
Jung on Tuesday directed Chief Secretary SK Srivastava at a meeting of all departments, including three Municipal Corporations and New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), except the Delhi Jan lokpal Bill and the Delhi Swaraj Bill, all decisions taken by the Kejriwal Government in the 49 days of its power would remain effective. Srivastava briefed all decisions taken by Kejriwal in his 49-day tenure in Delhi. The Chief Secretary was also briefed about the financial implications of those decisions if they were continued in the next fiscal year.
“Fifty per cent subsidy to those who consume less than 400 units of electricity in a month and 667 litres of water per day to each and every household which has functional water meter connection would be continued till the next financial year. At least 24,000 defaulters who participated in the Bijli Paani Andolan of Kejriwal too heaved a sigh of relief after the lieutenant-Governor’s decision on Tuesday since no provisions had been made by the Kejriwal Government to offer relief.
The Kejriwal Government had approved Rs 372 crore as power subsidy that did not include Rs 6 crore as relief to the 24,000 defaulters who participated in the Bijli Paani Andolan. “Initiatives like the 1031 anti-corruption helpline number, public grievance management system would continue. The l-G also directed that the anti-corruption campaign would prevail and the Government would follow a policy of zero tolerance towards graft. The anti- corruption helpline will continue and calls received will be attended to promptly by the Government staff, not by volunteers,” said Sanjeev Kumar, Secretary, Directorate of Information & Publicity (DIP).
Arvind Kejriwal’s voice which used to greet the citizens on dialling 1031 will however, be removed. Moreover, instead of the AAP volunteers, Delhi Government employees will operate the helpline number. According to sources, there is no data of how many calls the helpline received since inception. The l-G also directed the Public Grievance Management System launched recently should continue to function properly at the Delhi Secretariat and all officers would ensure grievances are settled in a time-bound manner. President’s Rule was imposed after Arvind Kejriwal resigned as Chief Minister on February 14 following the AAP Government’s failure to introduce the Jan lokpal Bill in the State Assembly.