Delhi LG Protecting Corrupt System: Says Minister Manish Sisodia
While an ugly impasse has been persisting because of the increasing conflicts between the AAP leaders and the LG, people of Delhi are suffering.
By Rakesh Raman
Manish Sisodia – an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and minister in Arvind Kejriwal’s Delhi Government alleged today that the Lt. Governor of Delhi Anil Baijal is trying to protect the corrupt bureaucratic system in Delhi.
Sisodia was referring to his government’s proposal of providing 40 citizen services – such as birth certificates, licences, and various registrations at people’s homes – that has been turned down by Baijal.
While Baijal suggested that such services will increase corruption in the city, Kejriwal’s AAP government believes that doorstep service delivery will reduce official corruption, as the citizens will not have to interact with corrupt government officials in different departments.
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Sisodia stated that LG’s rejection is a huge setback to Delhi Government’s efforts to provide good and corruption free governance.
LG has taken decision without knowing field reality. Announcement of doorstep delivery scheme was welcomed by all sections of society.
Huge setback in Del govt’s efforts to provide good and corruption free governance.. 3/N
— Manish Sisodia (@msisodia) December 26, 2017
He also counted the other objections that LG has raised to scuttle Delhi Government‘s attempt to deliver services at people’s homes.
As the Delhi Government had planned to charge service fee in addition to the normal charges for a particular service, the LG rejected this proposition saying that it will put extra financial burden on citizens.
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Similarly, the LG observed that when service delivery men will visit people’s homes, it can pose a serious threat to the security in the city.
But the AAP leaders argue that LG is only a selected bureaucrat who is trying to obstruct the work of an elected government.
LG says digitisation enough.
Elected govt says digitisation needs to be coupled wid doorstep delivery
LG does not agree
So, the question is – in a democracy, in such a situation, who shud have final say – LG or elected govt?? https://t.co/o1iNid6sxa
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) December 27, 2017
Kejriwal questioned the authority of LG saying: “In a democracy, who should have the final say – LG or the elected government?”
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While an ugly impasse has been persisting because of the increasing conflicts between the AAP leaders and the LG, people of Delhi are suffering.
Today, Delhi is among the most polluted and the dirtiest cities of the world, corruption is rampant in every street of Delhi while neither the LG office nor Kejriwal government could control it.
Similarly, the education standards – particularly in Delhi schools – are going from bad to worse while LG and Kejriwal have no interest in improving the quality of education.
LG Baijal keeps making armchair policies which are never implemented, while Kejriwal is always busy in politics instead of governance.
Thus, the LG office and Kejriwal’s Delhi Government have made Delhi a virtual hell. The less said about the Municipal Corporations of Delhi, the better.
By Rakesh Raman, who is a national award-winning journalist and social activist. Besides working at senior editorial positions with leading media companies, he was writing an exclusive edit-page tech business column (named Technophile) regularly for The Financial Express (a daily business newspaper of The Indian Express Group).
Earlier, he had been associated with the United Nations (UN) through United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) as a digital media expert to help businesses use technology for brand marketing and business development. He also runs a free school for deserving children under his NGO – RMN Foundation.
Photo courtesy: LG office
