Still so much that AAP can do for Delhi

Mosquito-borne diseases have hit Delhi like never before. But it’s not the first crisis that spiraled out of control as the city government fought the Lt. Governor, a Centre appointee. There was much hope when AAP came to power in Delhi 19 months ago. But now the unprecedented mandate seems to be going waste, as there is no end in sight to CM Arvind Kejriwal’s territorial battles with the Centre. With daily duels hitting governance hard, the situation became worse when the Delhi high court ruled on August 4 that L-G Najeeb Jung was Delhi’s administrative boss.

Now all decisions taken by the AAP government so far are being reviewed. Health minister Satyendra Jain has alleged that the L-G is not clearing about 600 files. Though for a quasi-state like Delhi to be administered efficiently, both the CM and the L-G need to be on the same page, Pragya Singh finds out that everything is not yet lost. There’s still so much that can be done for Delhi even if the two power centers do not get along too well.

Decoding Delhi’s status Delhi is a Union Territory (UT). Unlike other UTs, it has an elected assembly. But public order, land, police and services are controlled by the Centre via a Lt Governor. In other areas like health, education and urban development, the city government is more or less free to implement its agenda. Here the L-G has the right to differ from the CM. In Delhi, the L-G is not like a governor of a state. In a state, the council of ministers is supreme.

Twin narratives AAP govt spent Rs 526 crore on ads to showcase the amount of work it has done. The expenditure has now been questioned by a central panel. Govt also kept saying: “Wo pareshan karte rahe, ham kaam karte rahe”. But after a recent HC order declaring the L-G Delhi’s administrative boss, govt shifts all blame on the L-G, says it has no powers left. The AAP must realise that people still have high hopes from its government which cannot compensate governance deficit through laudatory adverts.

Fresh jolt to governance On August 4, the Delhi high court declared L-G Najeeb Jung Delhi’s administrative boss. The verdict makes most of CM Kejriwal’s big ticket announcements illegal. Jung has set up a panel to scrutinise over 400 files and past orders of the AAP government.

AAP has done well in areas, can do better Education, health, urban development, water are areas in which the AAP government can work a lot. Just that in policy or important issues, it needs L-G’s nod. But there is little movement on fixing pollution, traffic, and transportation issues. AAP is giving cheap power, free water to many. It has made budgetary provisions for health and education reforms. L-G Jung has himself praised Dy CM Manish Sisodia for “extremely positive effort in the field of education.”

AAP’s promises for 5 years & delivery in 19 months Janlokpal: AAP passed what many saw a weak Bill. Still waiting Centre’s nod. Delhi statehood Bill: Not brought in Assembly n Swaraj Bill for devolution of powers: Not Passed CAG audit of electricity discoms: Matter stuck in a court. 34% of Delhi still not connected to piped drinking water supply Revival of Yamuna: Still on paper 500 new schools: No new school till now Corruption-free Delhi: Govt lost ACB to Centre. Some alleged scams surfaced. A minister had to be sacked for graft. No VIP culture: CM, ministers use cars, bunglows 400% hike in salary of MLAs Regularisation, development of unauthorised colonies: Work on 30,000 beds in hospitals: Only 1,302 added till now

On the wrong side of law AAP says most MLAs were arrested at BJP-led Centre’s behest to avenge the loss of 2014 assembly elections. Police that reports to the Centre denies charge, says just not possible to randomly pick up people because ultimately cases reach courts where flimsy charges would not stick.

MINISTERS Sandeep Kumar caught in a sex scandal, sacked, arrested Jitender Singh Tomar arrested, sacked in a fake degree case. Out on bail. Asim Ahmad Khan sacked on graft charges MLAs Manoj Kumar arrested for alleged cheating, land-grabbing. Granted bail. Mahendra Yadav arrested for alleged rioting. Granted bail. Jagdeep Singh arrested for alleged assault. Out on bail. Naresh Yadav arrested for alleged desecration of Quran. Out on bail. Sharad Chauhan arrested in connection with an alleged suicide. In jail. Somnath Bharti arrested for allegedly trying to kill wife. Out on bail. Prakash Jarwal arrested for alleged molestation and eve-teasing. Dinesh Mohaniya arrested for alleged molestation. Out on bail. Surinder Singh arrested for allegedly making casteist remarks. Out on bail. Akhilesh Tripathi arrested for alleged rioting. Acquitted.