Deadlock ends as LG approves Doorstep Delivery scheme

NEW DELHI: After weeks of keeping the scheme in suspended animation, Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal on Monday approved the Delhi government's Doorstep Delivery of Services scheme.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal thanked Baijal on Twitter for the approval.

Under the scheme, assistants will turn up at the doorstep of individuals willing to avail certain government services and upload requisite documents online, ending the need for them to visit government offices.

Last week, Kejriwal had held a meeting with the LG, requesting him to approve the scheme as it would be helpful for the citizens.

"Hon'ble .@LtGovDelhi approves Delhi govt's scheme for 'Doorstep delivery of services'. All citizens of Delhi are grateful to u sir. Thank u," the Chief Minister said on Twitter.

On December 31, 2017, Kejriwal had said that the government will resend its ambitious Doorstep Delivery of Services scheme to the LG for approval, after the latter had suggested changes to it.

The scheme was approved by the Delhi Cabinet last year, but the LG offered various suggestions and asked the government to reconsider it.

Following this, the Delhi government blamed the LG for "rejecting" project, which led to the two trading barbs.

Responding to the allegation, the LG's office clarified that the proposal was "not rejected," but instead, sent back for "reconsideration" in its present form.

Citing privacy and safety concerns, the LG's office suggested that the system be digitised so that citizens are able to avail the services online.

Baijal had advised the government to focus on digital delivery of services, "as 35 out of 40 services listed in the scheme are already available online", and set up internet kiosks by unemployed youth for those not able to access the internet.

Delhi government officials said that the concerned department and ministers will start working on the scheme from this week after the end of Delhi Assembly sessions.

Full implementation of the scheme is likely to take a month or two, informed the sources.

However, on Monday, a statement from the LG's office made it clear that Baijal approved the proposal after Kejriwal's assurance that the Delhi government will simultaneously strengthen the online mechanism.