Corruption rising in Delhi, return ACB to us: Kejriwal

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday sought the return of the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) to the AAP government, saying corruption was rising in the national capital.

Addressing the Delhi Assembly, the AAP leader also called for “cooperative federalism” in the city and sought the central government’s help to run the Capital better.

“We need cooperative federalism for Delhi,” he said, listing specific demands including the return to his government of the ACB which was taken away from the AAP government last year.

He said corruption and bribery were again showing a rise in Delhi.

Kejriwal also urged Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung to either return or approve the 16 or so bills pending with him.

“If they cannot be approved, please return them to us,” he said. The Chief Minister also sought the Central government’s help to take control of land held by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) so that the AAP government can build hospitals in the city.

Kejriwal’s speech was welcomed by loud thumping of desks by AAP legislators. Even the three BJP members backed his plea for a better understanding with the Central government.

“We support the Chief Minister on this issue,” said Vijender Gupta, who heads the three-member Bharatiya Janata Party group in the 70-seat house where the AAP commands 67 legislators.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Assembly on Tuesday passed a resolution against the Central government’s proposition to impose one percent excise duty on the jewellers and urged the PM to roll it back. 

The resolution read: “This House, having understood the hardships being forced by both the jewellers and prospective customers in the wake of recent proposal in the Union Budget to impose one percent excise duty on non-silver jewellery, resolves that such a move is detrimental to the interest of all concerned and urges upon the prime minister of India to direct the union finance minister to immediately roll back the proposed excise duty.” 

Kejriwal termed the BJP-led Central government “arrogant”.