15 Years, 15 New Questions

15 Years, 15 New Questions

1.   The Congress government of Delhi claims that it has run the government maintaining fiscal discipline. So, will it explain why did the CAG conclude that Delhi suffered a revenue loss of Rs. 2,700 crore during the last fiscal?

2.       On an average, 10,000 infants die in the Delhi government’s hospitals every year. In the last 5 years, 50,000 infants have died in these hospitals. The infant mortality rate (IMR) in Delhi is 28 per thousand. Will the Congress government explain as to how will the Delhi Development Goal of reducing the IMR to 10 per thousand by 2015 be achieved?

3.       According to Delhi Development Report, 2013, half of the population living in the JJ Clusters in Delhi does not have the latrine facility on their premises. If the Congress government’s claim is true about their developmental works in these areas in the last 15 years, why the poor living in JJ Clusters do not have latrines even in their homes?

4.       According to a study sponsored by the Union Science and Technology Ministry, Delhi is in High Health Risk Zone and that pollution has increased by 21% in the last 10 years in Delhi. Will the Congress government of Delhi explain as to why Delhi is in such a pitiable condition?

5.       The budget of the Delhi Commonwealth Games escalated almost 100 times from Rs. 296 crore to Rs. 28,054 crore. Will the Congress government explain as to how does it make the estimates for organizing such an event that the cost escalates by 100 times? And, will it also explain as to why did the CAG and the Shunglu Committee held Delhi government guilty in CWG scam?

6.       Delhi government has spent Rs. 2072 crore for cleaning River Yamuna. Will the Congress government explain why the Yamuna is becoming more polluted by the day despite spending so much of money? Where is the money going?

7.       The Congress government of Delhi has given more than Rs. 550 crore to the Congress government of Haryana for the construction of Munak Canal (Rs. 350 crore as original cost, Rs. 160 as additional demand from Haryana Govt. and Rs. 50 crore as goodwill gesture by the Delhi Jal Board to the Haryana Govt.). Will the Congress government explain that why Delhi spent so much of money if it was not receive even a single drop of water from the Munak Canal?

8.       In 2012, the CBI unearthed a multi-crore Anti-biotic Shots scam in the Delhi government. will the Congress government explain how did it carry out the scam?

9.       The Delhi government had announced a target of benefitting 5,74,428 persons under the Annashree Scheme, but as the information came out in May, 2013 the number of beneficiaries under the scheme was only 7,220. Will the Congress government explain that if the Annashree scheme has benefitted only 7,220 persons, why the government is claiming to have benefitted 62,500 persons?

10.   When the Bus Cluster Scheme was launched in 2011, the Delhi government had said that 11,000 buses would be pressed into service out of which 60% would be under the Private Bus Cluster Scheme and rest under the DTC. But, suddenly in 2012, the Transport Minister changed the DTC-Private bus cluster ratio to 60-40. Will the Congress government explain why was this done and also, that while it was promised to deploy 1000 such buses by December 2012, why only 500 buses have been deployed till now?

11.   According to the Delhi government, Rs. 3,000 crore are spent on the repair of roads in the city, despite the roads are dotted with ditches. In the run up to the Commonwealth Games, several roads were built with a guarantee of 5 years, but they gave way in merely 2-3 years. The Congress government gave new contracts to the same contractors instead of blacklisting them. Will it explain why?

12.   The Delhi Chief Minister had promised in 2007 to build a 750-bed super specialty hospital in Dwarka. Will the Congress government explain as to why Asia’s largest sub-city with a population of over 5 lakh does not have a government hospital even 6 years after the promise made to the residents by the Chief Minister?

13. 22 JJ Clusters and slums were uprooted and people living there displaced for the construction of Commonwealth Games Village. Out of all the displaced families, only 20% have been rehabilitated and that too with almost no basic civic amenities in Bawana. Will the Congress government explain where are the homes of rest 80% of the displaced families?

14. The Congress government of Delhi makes tall claims about power supply in Delhi, but an Assocham report said that between May and July industrial output had to be cut down by 25-45% due to frequent power cuts in several industrial areas of Delhi. Will the Congress government explain how did such a situation arise?

15.   In 2008, the Congress government of Delhi had promised to provide 60,000 houses to the poor under Rajiv Ratna Awas Yojana. But, will the Congress government explain as to why only about 15,000 houses have been built and why not even a single house has been allotted to the targeted beneficiaries?

BJP slams Congress ministers for using unparliamentarily language

·         BJP slams Congress ministers for using unparliamentarily language

·         PDS Loot: BJP demands resignations of Chief Minister, Food and civil supplies minister

·         PDS expose reveals food security scheme is a façade to fill coffers of few : Goel

·         PDS expose makes even a stronger case for Accountability Commission : Goel

Delhi BJP General Secretaries Smt. Shikha Rai, Shri Ramesh Bidhuri and Shri Jai Prakash today lambasted the Congress Ministers for using derogatory and unparliamentary language for Delhi BJP President Shri Vijay Goel.  The use of such unparliamentary language is coming out of Congress’ frustration and inability to respond to the issues raised by the BJP. The BJP had raised 15 questions on Sunday which has clearly rattled Congress.

In a joint statement, the three General Secretaries said, “The uncalled for use of derogatory and unparliamentarily language by the Congress Minister of Delhi for Delhi BJP President shows the panic that has set in the Congress  as the groundswell of support for BJP in Delhi is quite visible. The Congress is losing ground in Delhi but the Ministers of Delhi Cabinet are not able to come to the terms with the changing reality of Delhi’s mood ahead of the Assembly polls.”

Meanwhile the Delhi BJP President Shri Vijay Goel slammed the Congress government for “cosmetic surgery” to hide the ugly face of corrupt PDS in the city.  The Food and Civil Supplies Minister should be immediately sacked and the Chief Minister should step down. The food security scheme is actually a farce where poor are duped and vested interests are filling coffers by selling foodgrains meant for poor in open market in a systemic and massive scale”

A sting operation by a channel has cemented the BJP’s charge that the foodgrains meant for the poor are not reaching them.

“It is clear that without support from the top echelons of administration, this massive loot wouldn’t have been possible. So, mere suspension of half a dozen middle or junior level officials won’t do. The sting operation has clearly exposed that the rot in the system is from top to bottom. We have been raising this issue for the last several years and in 2008 I had demanded a CBI inquiry into the corruption ridden PDS. We stand vindicated today once again after the latest expose.”

It may be mentioned here that even the CAG, in its latest report, has slammed the Delhi government for causing a scam in Delhi’s PDS. The CAG observed that the food distribution chain of Delhi is rotting and held Delhi government responsible for it.

Shri Goel said, “Now, one can understand why Congress is opposing BJP’s proposal for an Accountability Commission. All such scams would be unearthed through the Accountability Commission and Congress ministers and corrupt officials who helped them in looting Delhi would be taken to task including the Chief Minister.”

“But the BJP is committed to set up an Accountability Commission and fix all the corrupt elements in Delhi government when it comes to power,” reiterated Shri Goel.

CM misleading people by claiming ‘lowest’ power tariff in Delhi: Goel

·         CM misleading people by claiming ‘lowest’ power tariff in Delhi: Goel

• Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Haryana have lower power tariffs: Goel
• When elected to power, BJP will reduce power tariff by 30%, bring transparency: Goel

New Delhi, October, 10:  Delhi BJP President Shri Vijay Goel today slammed the Delhi Chief Minister for misleading people of Delhi on power tariff in Delhi. Shri Goel said that the Delhi Chief Minister’s claim that Delhi has lowest power tariff is misleading.

In a statement issued today, Shri Goel said, “Power tariff in states like Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Haryana are much lower as compared to the existing power tariffs in Delhi. The Chief Minister’s is misleading the people of Delhi by making false claims. Cities like Chandigarh and Dehradun too have lower power tariffs.”

Shri Goel further said, "It is surprising to see that the Delhi government colluding with the Discoms to fleece the people of Delhi. The Congress government has allowed a hike of over 72% hike in power tariff in the last couple of years and more than 300% hike in power tariff in the last ten years.

Shri Goel also said, “The power tariff slabs in Delhi are not consumer friendly. Several other states have better power tariff structure and offer flexibility to accommodate the power requirements of BPL people.”

The lowest power tariff slab available in Delhi is 0-200 units while many other states offer lowest slab as 0-30, 0-40, 0-45 or 0-100 units. Such a slab structure accommodates power requirements of the BPL households reasonably well, while power tariff slab in Delhi does not offer any such support to the poor.

Shri Goel further said, “The power policy of the Congress government betrays its anti-poor orientation. The 15-year misrule by the Congress in Delhi has resulted in BPL households receiving power bills in thousands of rupees just to light their one-room accommodation.”

Shri Goel said, “The BJP, when elected to power, will bring down the power tariff by 30% by bringing competition among the power discoms and making their functioning transparent. The BJP will also provide separate neutral to every household to protect them from “shocks” of inflated electricity bills.”

A very high power tariff exists in Delhi due to collusion between the present Delhi government and the power discoms. The Delhi Chief Minister always finds an excuse to support hike in power tariff saying that hike in tariff is necessary to ensure that people of Delhi continue to get power.

But, the Chief Minister exposed herself in 2010, when her government arbitrarily stopped the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission from reducing power tariff by nearly 25%. This clearly established hand in glove nature of understanding between the discoms and the Congress government.

15 Saal, 15 Sawaal

The point raised by Shri Narendra Modi in his speech that Delhi CM remains busy in only cutting ribbons is quite valid. There are a whole lot of projects (appended below) where ribbons were cut and lot of hype was created but hardly any progress was made. Several projects in health, transport and almost in every sector were inaugurated during Congress rule but either scrapped halfway or they continue to drag till now.

Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit should go back and check the facts before making any statement.

Key Points: Ribbons cut, promises made, people duped !

1.  Super-specialty hospital at Dwarka- In November 2007 Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit promised a 750-bed super specialty hospital for Dwarka. The largest sub-city of Asia with a population of over 5 lakh people is yet to get a government hospital.

2. 12 New Hospitals- Delhi government had promised building 12 new hospitals with total bed strength of 2,900 but none of them is complete. The construction of hospitals in Dwarka (750 beds), Vikaspuri (200 beds), Madipur (200 beds), Jawlapuri (200 beds), Ambedkar Nagar (200 beds) is already much delayed.

3. 7 BRT Corridors- The present BRT between Ambedkar Nagar and Moolchand is not a BRT but a mess. International experts say that Delhi’s BRT lacks several important features — a closed BRT system with centralised management, fare collection before boarding the bus and integration with other modes of transport. While they questioned Delhi’s BRT, they praised BRT in Ahmedabad. Nevertheless, the Delhi government promised 7 BRTs while it has failed to manage even one.

4. Signature bridge- It was supposed to be completed before commonwealth games. - The deadline for this bridge has already been extended from December 2013 to June 2014 and then December 2014.The estimated cost of the bridge was revised six times leading to huge escalation of cost. The CAG questioned cost escalation by Rs 672 crore from Rs 459 cr to Rs 1131 crore.  The CAG also found irregularities in construction of the Signature Bridge at Wazirabad questioning import of pre-fabricated steel frames from China.

5.  Rajiv Ratna Housing Scheme - The Delhi government promised to make 60,000 houses for poor, but only about 14,500 houses have been constructed. No flat was allotted to poor. In its election manifesto, the Congress had promised 10 lakh dwellings for JJ clusters/slum dwellers!!

6.  Transport- The Congress government announced several transport projects, such as digitization of transport records (2002), modernization of DTC (2009) or GPS in auto-rickshaws (2010) but all are jammed in the pile of paper. All the projects are moving at snail’s pace.

7. Water- The Delhi government had promised to make Delhi self-reliant in water by 2010, still in 2013, the CAG says that half of Delhi does not get water from the Delhi Jal Board.

8. Resettlement of slum dwellers- 22 slums/Jhuggi bastis were destroyed to raise the commonwealth village for the corruption ridden CWG, 2010. A mere 20% of the population was relocated in Bawana, which is a deserted field with no public utility services in the periphery of Delhi. Rest 80% of the population of the 22 slums was left to fend for themselves in the streets.

9. Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board- Delhi govt. promised to relocate 5500 JJ households of 33 clusters by January 2012. Only 262 relocated till now.

10. Yamuna cleaning- More than Rs. 2400 crore has been spend by Delhi Jal Board and yet the Delhi govt.’s promise of a clean Yamuna is a distant dream. Instead, 22-km stretch of Yamuna in Delhi has become more polluted. 

11. Munak canal- Despite spending Rs. 400 crore on Munak Canal in Haryana, the Delhi govt. has failed to get even a drop of water for the people of Delhi from the canal.

12. Power cuts - Areas badly affected by power cuts during 2013 summer: Vikaspuri, Punjabi Bagh, Najafgarh, Paschim Vihar, Dwarka, Matiala, Bindapur and adjoining areas, Green Park, Gulmohar Park, Anand Lok, Alaknanda, East of Kailash, Kailash Colony, Nehru Place, Masjid Moth, Kalkaji, Govindpuri, Amar Colony, Lajpat Nagar and adjoining areas, Rohini, Shalimar Bagh, Pitampura, Mangolpuri, Wazirpur, Krishna Nagar, Mayur Vihar, Shahdra, Seelampur, Dilshad Garden, Laxmi Nagar, Pandav Nagar and adjoining areas. So, practically the entire Delhi faced power cuts for hours this year itself.

13. Power cuts for industries- In May this year, Assocham lamented power cuts saying unscheduled power cuts in Delhi forced thousands of industrial units to curtail production by about 25 percent for April-May. It suspected loss of industrial production to exceed 40-45 per cent in June and July. The power cuts have affected Micro-, small- and medium enterprises (MSME) the worst in Delhi. Wazirpur Industrial area, Okhla Industrial area and industrial areas along GT Karnal Road were among the worst affected due to unscheduled and frequent power cuts.

14.  Crime against women- There has been an increase of 240% in rape cases, 495% in molestation cases and 700% in the cases of eve-teasing this year in Delhi. According to NCRB data, Delhi witnessed the highest incidence of crime against women in 2012 with 14.2% of the total crime in all the cities having above 10 lakh population. Delhi city has accounted for 19.34% of rape cases, 23.1% of kidnapping & abduction cases, 14.6% of dowry deaths and 10.9% of assault on women with intent to outrage her modesty cases. Of all the rape cases recorded in the 53 million plus cities of India, every fifth rape takes place in Delhi.

15. Crime against children- Delhi has also become the capital of missing girls and children. According to Delhi Police records, close to 3,450 children who went missing in Delhi in the last three years are yet to be traced. Girls account for 55 percent of the missing children.

15 साल, 15 सवाल

15 साल, 15 सवाल

1.       आर्थिक विकास- सरकार का दावा है कि दिल्ली में अभूतपूर्व विकास हुआ है तो क्यूँ दिल्ली में बेरोजगारी 1999-2000 के 3.6 प्रतिशत के आँकड़े से बढ़कर 4.0 प्रतिशत हो गई है?

2.       प्रति-व्यक्ति आय- सरकारी दावे के अनुसार, दिल्ली की प्रतिव्यक्ति आय पूरे देश में सर्वाधिक है, तो क्यूँ 15 सालों के काँग्रेसी शासन के बाद भी 72 प्रतिशत लोगों के पास खाद्य सुरक्षा नहीं है?

3.       बिजली- सरकार का दावा है कि दिल्ली में बिजली उत्पादन एवं आपूर्ति में अभूतपूर्व वृद्धि हुई है, तो क्यूँ बिजली की दरों में 300 प्रतिशत की वृद्धि की गई और इसके बावजूद भी क्यूँ मुनाफे में चल रही बिजली कम्पनियों को सब्सिडी दी जा रही है?

4.      स्वास्थ्य- सरकार का दावा है कि दिल्ली में स्वास्थ्य सेवाएँ बेहतर हो गई हैं, तो क्या इसी कारण दिल्ली स्वास्थ्य मिशन के लिए आवंटित कुल राशि का 29 प्रतिशत भी खर्च नहीं किया गया?

5.      अस्पताल एवं बिस्तर- सरकार के अनुसार, दिल्ली में अस्पताल और बिस्तरों की संख्या में अभूतपूर्व वृद्धि हुई है, तो क्यूँ दिल्ली मानव विकास रिपोर्ट, 2013 ने स्वास्थ्य सुविधाओं को अपर्याप्त बताते हुए कहा कि यहाँ प्रति 10,000 जनसंख्या पर सिर्फ 2 क्लीनिक हैं?

6.      उन्नत अस्पताल- सरकार का दाव है कि पिछले 15 सालों में दिल्ली के अस्पताल अति-उन्नत कोटि के हो गए हैं, तो क्या इसी कारण सीएजी ने अपनी रिपोर्ट में कहा कि दिल्ली सरकार के अस्पतालों ने जीवनदीयी सुविधाएँ नदारद हैं?

7.      परिवहन- सरकार का दावा है कि दिल्ली में कई सारे फ्लाईओवर बनाए गए तो क्या सरकार यह भी बताएगी कि क्यूँ दिल्ली दुनिया के सर्वाधिक ट्रैफिक कंजेशन वाले शहरों में से एक है?

8.      सीएनजी बसें- सरकार का दावा है कि दुनिया की सबसे बड़ी प्रदूषण रहित बस सेवा दिल्ली में है, तो क्यूँ डीटीसी फ्लीट का आधुनीकीकरण नहीं किया गया है जबकि इसकी 6000 में से 2000 बसों को 2010 में हटाने (scrap करने) की सिफारिश की गई थी ?

9.      जल-आपूर्ति- सरकार के दावे के अनुसार जल-आपूर्ति में जबरदस्त वृद्धि हुई है, तो फिर क्यूँ सीएजी ने अपनी रिपोर्ट में कहा कि आधी दिल्ली को दिल्ली जल बोर्ड का पानी उपलब्ध नहीं है।

10. शिक्षा- सरकार का दावा है कि दिल्ली में शिक्षा को बढ़ावा दिया गया है, तो क्या सरकार यह भी बताएगी कि दिल्ली में 80 स्कूल बंद क्यूँ किए गए और 12,000 से अधिक शिक्षकों के पद रिक्त क्यूँ हैं?

11. कमजोर वर्ग के मरीज- सरकारी दावे के अनुसार, कमजोर वर्ग के मरीजों के लिए प्राइवेट अस्पतालों में विशेष व्यवस्था की गई है, तो ऐसा क्यूँ है कि इन अस्पतालों में कमजोर वर्ग के मरीजों के उपचार संबंधित दिशा-निर्देशों का कंप्लाएंस रेट सिर्फ 3.3 प्रतिशत है?

12. कमजोर वर्ग के छात्र-छात्राएँ- सरकार के अनुसार, कमजोर वर्ग के छात्र-छात्राओं को दिल्ली के स्कूलों में विशेष सुविधा दी गई है, तो क्यूँ इनके लिए आरक्षित सीटों में से 15,000 प्रत्येक वर्ष रिक्त रहते हैँ?

13. लाडली योजना- सरकार का दावा है कि लाडली योजना से 5 लाख बालिकाओं को लाभ पहुँचा है, तो सीएजी ने क्यूँ कहा कि लाडली योजना की असफलता दर लगभग 42 प्रतिशत है?

14.  सामाजिक सुरक्षा- सरकार का दावा है कि दिल्ली में सामाजिक सुरक्षा को बढ़ावा दिया गया है, तो दिल्ली में बुजुर्ग असुरक्षित महसूस करते हैं, क्यूँ महिलाओं के खिलाफ हिंसा सर्वाधिक है और  क्यूँ गरीबों की बस्तियों के विकास की अनदेखी की गई?

15. पर्यावरण- सरकार के अनुसार दिल्ली में प्रदूषण कम करने के अनेक उपाय किए गए, तो क्यूँ भारत सरकार के विज्ञान एवं प्रौद्योगिकी मंत्रालय द्वारा कराए गए अध्ययन के मुताबिक दिल्ली में पिछले 10 सालों में 21 प्रतिशत प्रदूषण बढ़ गया है?

Delhi BJP President thanks Delhi’ites, party cadres for making Vikas Rally a historic success

·         Delhi BJP President thanks Delhi’ites, party cadres for making Vikas Rally a historic success

The Delhi Bharatiya Janata President Shri Vijay Goel today expressed his gratitude to the citizens of Delhi and all BJP cadres for making today’s “Vikas Rally” at Japanese Park a huge success.

Shri Goel said, “The overwhelming response from Delhi’ites to Sh. Narnedra Modi and other BJP leaders’ speeches has made this rally the most memorable and historic. I am thankful to all those who have supported us in organising this rally. This wouldn’t have been possible without participation of common people and hard work of thousands of BJP cadres who had been working tirelessly for this rally.”

“On behalf of my party and all leaders and cadres I congratulate the citizens of Delhi for organising a historic rally. I am sure this rally is a clear indication that there is a strong pro-BJP mood in Delhi and people do not want to tolerate misrule of Congress anymore.”

There huge response from Muslim Ulamas (religious head) for 29th Sept. Modi ji Rally.

 There huge response from Muslim Ulamas (religious head) for 29^th Sept. Modi ji Rally.

BJP Samvad Cell Delhi Pradesh Convenor Khem Chand Sharma and Cell Media Incharge Ekta Gauba Bhaskar wanted to conduct a meeting at Turkman Gate with Muslim Ulamas on their request to get support from Muslims for the Rally of Shri Narendra Modi in Delhi. But unfortunately Delhi Police denied the permission for the same. 

Thereafter on short notice an exclusive meeting only with Muslim Ulamas (religious head) had been conducted at BJP Pradesh Office with BJP leadership Shri Khem Chand Sharma, Shri Raman Malik and Shri Vijay Jolly. Participants express their full support on behalf of their society and has taken an oath to educate all about misusing of minorities by Congress and good work done by Modi Ji and other BJP Government by minorities. 

Goel, top leaders take stock of preparations for the Sept. 29 rally

·         Goel, top leaders take stock of preparations for the Sept. 29 rally

·         Different colour buses for  each parliamentary constituency

·         Delhi BJP extends open invitation to people for Sept. 29 Vikas Rally

 Delhi BJP President Sh. Vijay Goel today visited the venue of the September 29 Vikas Rally at the Japanese Park in Rohini along with the members of the 18 committees formed to oversee the preparation for the rally, which will be addressed among others by BJP’s Prime Ministerial candidate Shri Narendra Modi,. Shri Goel extended an open invitation to the people of Delhi to attend the historic rally.

Inspecting the venue, Shri Goel said, “Though we are sending invitations also but there is an open invitation extended to all those who want to attend this rally. Our volunteers will ensure that everyone who wants to attend the rally can do that."

Around 5 lakh persons are expected to attend the September 29 rally. Shri Goel said, "The party has made exquisite arrangements for buses for people going for the rally. The transport arrangements have been made according to the areas of the Lok Sabha constituencies in Delhi. Accordingly, the buses will be in seven different colours representing seven Lok Sabha constituencies in Delhi. The colour scheme of the buses is being finalized.”

Sh. Goel further said, “Considering the tremendous popularity of Shri Modi among the youth, the party is giving special focus on them. Special passes for youth are being issued to them for attending the rally. Youth are being contacted in all the colleges in Delhi and NCR to ensure that their enthusiasm is reflected when they take part in the rally in huge numbers.”

“Special arrangements will be made for the youth at the venue of the rally. A separate enclosure is being built in the rally pandals to accommodate young participants of the rally,” Sh. Goel informed.

The Delhi BJP President said that minority communities have shown great enthusiasm for theSeptember 29 rally.

Sh. Goel said, “We are expecting an impressive attendance of minorities in this historic rally. Apart from the Delhi BJP Minority Morcha, senior leaders of the party are also mobilizing among others the minority communities for the rally. Development has been the key concern and agenda for the minorities too, and they see Sh. Narendra Modi as an ambassdor of development. Obviously, there is a fabulous response from the minority communities for the rally, which has been named as Vikas Rally.”

Sensing the enthusiasm and zeal among the supporters and common populace of Delhi for the rally, the Delhi BJP has put up a counter at its headquarters at 14, Pt Pant Marg for merchandise for the rally including caps, T-shirts etc.  Meanwhile the prabhat pheris in all 280 Mandals continue to attract huge response from all sections of society.

“We will set the Yamuna right in the next five years” says Delhi CM

“We will set the Yamuna right in the next five years” says Delhi CM

Should the voters buy her claims?

- Pallavi Singh

With the Delhi elections just around the corner, the report card of the ruling party has been prepared. With constant bashing from the opposition on issues like increasing electricity bills and inflation, the voter seems to have lost trust of the current government as reflected by the falling numbers of the party in the recent opinion polls. But the dreams of the ruling party to form another government in the city remain undeterred and to lure voters back, the old lady of the Congress party known for her conceited remarks was recently seen chanting stories of so-called development in the city. But her show of prosperity losses its gleam in front of the filth laden Yamuna.

When asked, madam CM admitted that even 15 years later she felt dissatisfied with the condition of the river, and sought for a fourth term to make the mark.  Given that the elections are just round the corner, it is important to look closer into the veracity of her statement. Would she really be able to give a cleaner Yamuna in the next five years, as she claims?

Let’s look back to see what went wrong in the past 15 years that the Sheila Dikshit led government couldn’t achieve, what she claims to achieve in the next five years.

Was there a dearth of funds? Sadly the answer is “no”. Jai Ram Ramesh himself admitted in the parliament; even after an investment of 1700 crores on the river, it is still no cleaner now than 20 years ago.

There has been support from the Government of India to supplement the efforts of the state government on Yamuna, into the name of Yamuna Action Plans. Rs. 682 crores, Rs 624 crores and Rs 1656 crores were allocated under three Yamuna Plans. Now, that is a lot of money to get the task done; in fact more than the desired amount. The Gujarat Government took up the task of cleaning the Sabarmati which was as dirty as Yamuna today. However, in just one third of this amount, Sabarmati is as clean as Thames river of London. Unfortunately, even after spending thrice the amount, Yamuna is one of the dirtiest rivers in the country. So, where did the money go? Probably, the same place where CWG’s 70,000 crores went.

If there were indeed enough funds, was it the lack of technology or infrastructure which obstructed the ruling government from giving a cleaner Yamuna to the people of Delhi?

It is imperative to look at some of the facts – Delhi already has 22 sewage treatment plants which together add up to 40 percent of the total installed sewage treatment capacity of India. With just 3 per cent population of the country living in Delhi, it is definitely not an issue of lack of infrastructure. With this kind of sewage treatment facility, why are we still using our holy river as dump? We can just hope to find answers in Mrs Dikshit’s term which she so prudently sought.

Further, the Yamuna action plans dedicated to the cause of the river were implemented in assistance with Japan International Cooperation Agency, Government of Japan. If we couldn’t get the required technical support from them in the last 15 years, is it right to be hopeful of it happening in the next 5 years?

The real problem is not the lack of infrastructure or the lack of funds. It is the lack of political will. The moment the river enters Delhi, at Hathini Kund barrage, 97 per cent of the natural fresh water is withdrawn for irrigation, industrial development and drinking water purposes. So what really flows beyond this point is mostly domestic sewer and industrial waste.

To set things right more water has to be released in the river channel. But the government has no intention of doing that. Recently, a huge crowd of padyatris gathered on the banks of Yamuna whose same demand fell on the deaf ears of the government. Not only did the government not pay any heed to the demands of the people, it also dismissed the directives of Supreme Court approved High Power committee to insure minimum adequate flow in River Yamuna all around the year.

Not only is the current government looting from the pockets of the people, it is betraying the faith of millions of Hindus who go to the Braj to take a holy dip in the river, Yamuna.