AAP govt to push for full statehood, Janlokpal: Jung

Tribune News Service

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New Delhi, February 24

Presenting the Aam Aadmi Party's development model, Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung today said the government will continue its push for full statehood in order to establish the Janlokpal in Delhi while women's security will be one of its key concerns.

"My government will dismantle the barriers that have come up between the elected and the electors. My government will endeavour to be transparent, participative and interactive. We will make every effort to establish the Janlokpal in Delhi to ensure a time-bound investigation into corruption cases. Whistleblowers will be provided protection from harassment," Jung said in his address to the first session of the Sixth Legislative Assembly of Delhi.
Speaking on the Delhi Government's commitment to the Swaraj Act, he said, "A Citizen Local Area Development (C-LAD) Fund will be provided to local communities. It is the intention of my government to push for full statehood which has been a longstanding demand of the people of Delhi. The provision of critical public services such as law and order and low-cost housing would happen more smoothly if Delhi were accorded autonomy as a full-fledged state with greater control over these aspects."
Similarly, the provisions for essential services like the law and order and affordable housing can happen only if agencies like the Delhi Police, MCD and the DDA are brought under the control of the state government, Jung said.
The Delhi LG also outlined the AAP government's commitment to provide safety and security to women in the national Capital.
He said the Delhi Government will create "fast-track courts" dedicated to handling cases of sexual assault and other crimes against women apart from having 'Mahila Suraksha Dal' by redeploying members of the Home Guard and Civil Defence volunteers.
Further, my government will facilitate appointment of new judges to ensure that the judicial system works fast and effectively, he added.
"My government shall be unwavering in its commitment to ensuring that Delhi remains a state where women feel as much at home and at ease as men in pursuing their livelihood and social pursuits-- proudly leading from the front. My government will not let any fund crunch come in the way of putting in place safety and security measures for women....my government will exert itself to provide effective last-mile connectivity in Delhi's public transit system," he said.
Referring to the Delhi mandate, Jung said it reflects how people cutting across poor and rich, caste, creed or religion and sections have voted for clean politics. "They want good governance and shown their eagerness to engage with the political process. In an age of cynicism, they have put their faith in the political philosophy of participative and consultative democracy that alone can lead us to Purna Swaraj, that is, self-rule," he said.
"In the past, earlier governments made announcements regularising unauthorised colonies. Moving forward from these announcements, my government will take a more realistic and effective approach to regularise unauthorised colonies in Delhi," Jung said.
Towards making Delhi a digital capital city, Jung said, "We have an effective plan to create Wi-Fi hotspots at various public locations. This will also provide an impetus to education, entrepreneurship, business and employment as well as tie in with women's safety initiatives."
Further, he said, while the Delhi Government will focus on strengthening and expanding educational and health infrastructure, encouraging innovation and job generation, converting the city into a trader-hub is one of the other priorities of the government.