Cong pledges empowerment of RWAs, timely delivery in latest manifesto
18 April 2017 6:31 PM GMT
The Congress' manifesto on urban infrastructure for the MCD polls, released on Tuesday, promises empowerment of resident welfare associations (RWAs) and time-bound delivery of 13 civic services.
Highlights of the manifesto include dedicated fund for Chatth Puja arrangements, Bhagidari scheme revival for participatory governance, simplification of building by-laws, ensuring women's security by installing LED lights and house tax exemption for self-occupied properties and senior citizens above 65 years.
Releasing the manifesto, Delhi Congress president Ajay Maken accused both the BJP and the AAP of making "false promises" to people on tax issues.
"Kejriwal says house tax will be waived after the AAP's victory in MCD polls. Perhaps, he does not know or is just making false promise because house tax cannot be waived totally, although exemption in some categories is allowed," he said.
The Bhagidari scheme to promote broad-based civic participation in local governance, launched by the Congress when it was in power in Delhi, but "neglected" by the BJP- ruled civic bodies, will be revived and more importance would be given to the RWAs in civic matters, Maken said.
If the Congress wins the civic bodies election, the scheme will be implemented in a big way by engaging elected RWAs in parking arrangements in residential colonies, the Delhi Congress chief said.
The right of citizens for time-bound delivery of services will be boosted by issuing a charter of 13 civic services, within three days of assuming office in the corporations after the polls, he said.
"Government employees concerned who fail in ensuring time-bound delivery of these services will be fined Rs 250 per day beyond stipulated time limit," Maken said.
Once the Congress comes to power in the civic bodies, no conversion charges will be imposed on properties under mixed land use, if it has been paid for 10 years.
The civic bodies will set up utilities maintenance department (UMD) for upkeep of multilevel parking lots, toilets, night shelters and community halls, he said.
Rural and urban villages will be provided with hundred percent drainage systems, roads will be widened, parking space will be provided and overhead electricity lines will be replaced with underground wirings, the manifesto promised.
All asphalt roads will be replaced with concrete ones to make those pothole-free. A summer action plan will be prepared to avert waterlogging on roads through desilting of all drains by June 1 every year, it said.
Sheila dikshit hits out at Delhi Cong top brass
Former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on Tuesday reflected on former state Minister and veteran Congress leader Arvinder Singh Lovely joining the Bhartiya Janata Party and said that the current Delhi Congress chief was unable to reach out to leaders as needed, which was the reason for them leaving the party. Calling the event unfortunate, Dikshit asked who could be trusted when senior leaders, who received everything from the party, leave it.
Although Dikshit did not mention any names, it may be noted that discord between a few senior leaders and Delhi Congress chief Ajay Maken has been a factor of many leaders switching sides. Dikshit said that the exodus was due to the faulty system of the Pradesh Congress Committee. Dikshit, who once head PCC, said that if the people
Dikshit said that the exodus was due to the faulty system of the Pradesh Congress Committee. Dikshit, who once head PCC, said that if the people in-charge did not understand the dissatisfaction within party members, there is no use of being the head. She added that the PCC should have an approach of talking to everyone together, which was not present. She was of the opinion that many people had left as they were not being listened to.
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