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Delhi

AAP govt seeks LG's nod to form Mohalla Sabhas

Over two years since it came to power, the AAP government in Delhi is again mulling reviving Mohalla Sabha, with in-principle implementation in national Capital.
The bill for formation of Mohalla Sabhas was passed in the Assembly during a short discussion on Wednesday. The Delhi government also has requested Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal to give his assent to the bill on Mohalla Sabhas.
The bill will enable the formation of Mohalla Sabhas – the urban equivalent of Grama Sabha – through which people will get a say in the development works and fund allocation in their areas.
Speaking on the issue in the assembly, Aam Aadmi Party MLA Rajesh Gupta said Mohalla Sabhas ensure that the responsibilty of the people does not just end with the casting of votes.
Gupta said through Mohalla Sabhas, people will get to decide whether they need a road or a canal and can ensure that the work is not done only according to the wishes of MLAs.
AAP MLAs said it was one of the planks on which they fought the elections and a pilot project was also conduct in 11 Assembly constituencies.
Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain said that Rs 350 crore was passed in the budget for Mohalla Sabhas.
However, he said that the money it remains unspent as the LG has not given his approval to the bill, and requested him to pass it.
AAP MLAs said that Mohalla Sabhas will lead to decentralisation of power, weed out corruption and bring 'swaraj'.
"Until people give their NOC, bills of developmental works will not be passed (under the Mohalla Sabha system), said AAP MLA Bandana Kumari.
Bharatiya Janata Party MLA Vijender Gupta supported the idea of Mohalla Sabhas, but said that the AAP government has not worked on the details and micro-level matters and is trying to put the blame on others.
"What about the financial distribution, tender allotment and micro-level planning? You have not gone into the details and until you do, it is not going to move forward," the Leader of Opposition in the Assembly said.
Concluding the discussion, Jain said that they are open to any amendment from the Opposition and politics should not come in the way of working for people.
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