'Most regressive form of governance in Delhi'

Delhi: Aam Aadmi Party on Thursday released the manifesto for the Lok Sabha election 2019. The key theme of the manifesto is the demand of the full statehood. In the manifesto, the party has also presented a comparison between the national capitals of many other countries in terms of what kind of powers the elected governments have in those countries.

"A simple comparison of the powers of Delhi government and that of the local city governments of major national capitals around the world makes it clear that India has the most regressive form of governance for its national capital," the manifesto observed. A comparison has been made between powers of the Delhi government with four large national capitals – London (UK), Berlin (Germany), Moscow (Russia) and Mexico City (Mexico). Comparison has also been made with two smaller cities that are national capitals –Washington DC (US) and Ottawa (Canada).

"Comparison makes it clear how the governance system in Delhi stands out as an anomaly to all other national capitals – especially those which are large cities such as London, Berlin, Moscow and Mexico City. Not only does the current governance setup create everyday hurdles in the delivery of basic public services to the people of Delhi, it stands as a blot on the core ideals of democracy that India prides itself on," it noted.

Apart from this, the party manifesto described how the full-statehood can change the governance in Delhi. The party chose 12 key areas and explained what they have done and what they will do if Delhi becomes a full-statehood. "With full statehood, the Delhi Government will have control over Land, Law and Order, Police, Control over of officials and decision making," it noted.

In the education sector, the manifesto promised that after getting full statehood the government will expand the right to education, right to college education (Delhi students with 60% marks in Class 12, shall get guaranteed admission in a college as a regular student), 85 per cent reserved seat for all Delhi students in higher education, teaching infrastructure development, regularisation of guest teachers, expand medical and engineering education, new roster.

In health, the party promised that getting full-statehood the government will bring Mohallah clinics at doorstep, expand the infrastructure of hospitals, provide adequate doctors and medical staff and make a unified health system.

The party also focused on women safety where they promised 33 per cent representation for women in police, establishing protocols, CAW cells in all police station, fast track courts, gender sensitisation training, preventive policing and periodic safety audits.

AAP in the manifesto also gave importance to the environment issue. The party promised that after getting full-statehood, the government will make Delhi a state with 100% electric buses, vacuum cleaning of all roads, compliance with construction rules and promote citizen participation.

Apart from all these, the party promised 85% reservation for Delhi residents in jobs, ensuring filling up all vacant posts in police force and houses for every Delhi residents.