Goel raises “Five Questions” on price rise, Challenges Chief Minister to come up with answers

• Goel raises “Five Questions” on  price rise, Challenges Chief Minister to come up with answers
• Most vegetables out of reach of common people as insensitive Congress government suffers from Policy paralysis : Goel

The Delhi BJP President Shri Vijay Goel today  lambasted the Congress government for lack of resolve in controlling the spiraling prices  of essential commodities especially vegetables. 

Shri Goel said, “The skyrocketing prices of potatoes, tomatoes and onions are all approaching Rs 100 Kg each. They are even costlier that petrol or diesel now.   With the food inflation already hovering at 18% to 19%, and now the prices of vegetables shooting up, the common people are founding this burden unbearable now.”

The prices of vegetables continue to shoot up and they have gone beyond the reach of middle and low income groups.  But the Congress government seems to be sleeping on this issue. The statements by various Congress ministers are turning out to be hollow promises. For many months now, the Congress government has been assuring Delhi residents that the prices will be brought under control soon but the ground realties speak otherwise.

“What we are witnessing today is complete policy paralysis at all levels. Add to that the insensitivity of Congress Chief Minister and ministers and other leaders. The result is that common people are suffering immensely.”

In  context of the inflation issue, Shri Goel  raised following five questions today seeking anwer from Congress government

1.       Why Congress government is  not stopping export of onions?

2.       Why the  Delhi government did not respond to NAFED’s repeated requests of arranging supply of onions for Delhi through  imports well in advance?

3.        Why  the food and civil supplies minister Haroon Yusuf is not being sacked for complete failure to control prices and ensure enough supplies?

4.       What action has been initiated against those government officials who are  responsible for monitoring prices and doing crisis management on price front  ?

5.       Why such poor quality onion which is not fit for human consumption is often provided through government run outlets?

Statement of Dr. Subramanian Swamy, Former Union Cabinet Minister

1.As an anti-corruption activist and on behalf of the Delhi Pradesh BJP I am addressing this Press Conference to enthusiastically support the cleanest and most experienced candidate for the CM of Delhi, Mr. Harshvardan, the former State Minister of Health.

2.The Congress Party which is presently wallowing in cesspool of corruption is shocked by his unanimous choice for CM candidate.

3.Lacking necessary credentials to counter with a corruption free name, the Congress high command seems to have entered into an unholy agreement with the AAM AADMI Party [AAP} Chief Mr. Arvind Kejriwal to do its work for countering Mr. Harshvardan’s impeccable credentials during the electioneering after the date of scrutiny of nominations.

4.But Mr. Kejriwal’s moment of truth is at hand. He represents a motley crowd of anti-nationals, sleazeballs, and financial manipulators.

5.This crowd is attracted by AAP as yet camouflaged ideology. It therefore attracts anti-nationals such as those who want to hand over Kashmir to Pakistan, espouse the cause of Maoists and Naxalites, and pander to rabid Muslim fundamentalists such as Maulana Tauqir Raza who had announced a Rs 5 lakh cash prize to anyone who would behead a defenceless woman called Taslima Nasreen, not to mention Rs 1 crore for assassinating the US President George Bush.

6.Mr. Kejriwal claim to fight corruption is limited to addressing press conferences. This is called the shoot and scoot strategy. In the Vadra case all the material he presented were already in the publicly domain. But in his press conference re-disclosing the same he specifically said that he found no wrong doing by either Ms. Sonia Gandhi or Priyanka Vadra. That is Vadra is an independent power centre, which is laughable.

7.Mr. Kejriwal has failed to answer the allegations of financial donations from the very sources which he condemns. These allegations that have been published for example in Mail Today of November 4, 2010 and recently in Economic Times require for the sake of transparency in public life to be fully answered by him.

8.It is apparent that the AAP has no presence of experienced workers at the booth level. Hence the party will find it difficult to open its account in the Assembly elections. The Congress Party which has emerged as a defacto patron of the AAP is habituated to ditching allies when convenient politically, and that is what we will witness four days before the polling date.

9.Hence, I urge all those who want a clean Delhi Administration to back Mr. Harshvardan and give the BJP a sizeable majority in the new Assembly

Goel slams Delhi CM for refusing to give commitment to Lokayukta to uphold rule of law

• Goel slams Delhi CM for refusing to give commitment to Lokayukta to uphold rule of law
• Congress is striving to weaken institution of Lokayukta: Goel

Delhi BJP President Shri Vijay Goel today slammed the Delhi Chief Minister for weakening the institution of Lokayukta. He said that the Delhi Chief Minister’s decision to not to give any commitment to the Lokayukta on defacing public property and misuse of public spaces betrays Congress’ absence of respect for the institution.

Shri Goel said, “The Chief Minister’s defiance of the Delhi Lokayukta’s directive comes naturally to her as she has deliberately strived over the years to weaken the institution that fights corruption. It is ironical that the CM is not willing to give a commitment to honour the Delhi Prevention of Defacement of Property Act, 2007 enacted by her own government.”

“It is the duty of the government to uphold the rule of law. How can a chief minister run away from taking responsibility to uphold the rule of law,” asked Shri Goel.

Shri Goel further said, “It seems to be an intrinsic character of the Congress to worke against the institutions that work for probity in public life. Similar thing is happening in Uttarakhand, where the Congress party is opposing the Lokayukta Act passed the previous BJP government. This is an attempt to perpetuate corruption.”

The Delhi Lokayukta had asked the Delhi Chief Minister and Delhi Transport Minister to give a commitment through an affidavit that they would not misuse public spaces and ask the party workers not to deface public property with posters, hoardings and banners. But, the Delhi CM has not given any such commitment. She has refused to take any responsibility in this regard.

The incumbent Lokayukta’s tenure ends today and the new Lokayukta can only be appointed by the new government after the polls. Under such circumstances, the Delhi Chief Minister’s refusal to give any commitment to uphold the rule of law shows the Congress’ arbitrariness in dealing with the anti-corruption watchdog.

The Uttarakhand Lokayukta Act has received Presidential assent, but the ruling Congress party is still opposing the Act. This proves that Congress has no intention to fight corruption anywhere in the country. It would be interesting to mention that the Congress is opposing the Uttarakhand Lokayukta Act on the fictitious grounds of unconstitutionality even though the President of India gave his assent to the Act after due consideration of nearly two years.

BJP WILL FORM SEPARATE DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF UNAUTHORISED COLONIES & VILLAGES - DR. HARSH VARDHAN

Dr. Harsh Vardhan has said that after coming to power in Delhi, BJP will form a separate Development Authority on the lines of DDA for all round development of the unauthorized colonies and the rural areas. This will drastically change the system of providing facilities like education, health, roads, transport, sewerage, power and water, other basic amenities, housing, employment and increasing income of every family.  

There are 1639 unauthorized colonies in Delhi and 400 urban and rural villages. The condition in these villages is worse than the villages of other most backward states. It is surprising that even after 66 years of independence, 40 percent people of Delhi are not supplied drinking water by the Government.  Power load shedding is common in unauthorized colonies and villages and the quality of supply is of very low grade.  Congress is the ruling party for the 15 years in Delhi but it has done nothing for the betterment of these colonies and villages.  People feel to have been cheated.  

He accused that the Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit did not try to solve the problems of 40 lakh people of unauthorized colonies, urban and rural villages and migrants living in Delhi during the last 15 years. On the occasion of every election she made false promises to lakhs of people and left them in lurch. In spite of the announcement by Delhi Government the registry of the properties has not been started in unauthorized colonies.  Prices of land is sky rocketing. The dream of the poor man to have a house has remained unfulfilled.

BJP wants that there should be all round development of Delhi so that the rays of development reach every family. BJP is also committed for the empowerment of women and youth. Lakhs of youth are unemployed in Delhi. Lakhs of posts are vacant under the Government but it is not making appointments because the Congress is busy in the loot of public money and fueling price rise.

BJP will declare public holiday on Chhath Puja : Goel

• Goel writes to LG, Mayors on arrangements for Chhath Puja,
• BJP will declare public holiday on Chhath Puja : Goel
• Govt. must ensure safety at ghats, special transport facilities and safety of women : Goel
• Goel urges party workers to participate and help as volunteers in Chhath Puja celebrations

  

Delhi BJP President Shri Vijay Goel has asked the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi to ensure proper arrangements for Chhath Puja in the city.  He also reiterated that the BJP will declare the Chhath Puja a public holiday when it comes to power in Delhi.

In a letter to the LG, he expressed concern that the Delhi government seems to be not actively making sufficient arrangements for the festival which witnesses participation of lakhs of people especially purvanchalis. He urged the party cadres to participate in large numbers in the festival and provide all the help that is required for smooth conduct of this festival.

Shri Goel said, “Delhi recently witnessed a tragic episode during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival, when many lives were lost in Yamuna due to absence of proper safety measures. The government must ensure that a tragedy like Ganesh Chaturthi incident is not repeated as lakhs of devotees throng Yamuna ghats during the festival.”

“Safety at the ghats, deployment of sufficient number of police personnel, life saving guards, ambulances, transport facilities and traffic management and measures for safety of women should be adequately taken care of on priority by the government. Devotees, pilgrims and common people visiting the Chhath Puja ghats should not be left in the lurch,” Shri Goel said.

Shri Goel further said, “The BJP will deploy large number of party workers as volunteers at all the Chhath Puja ghats along Yamuna, canals and other water bodies in all the districts of Delhi.”

The matter relating to arrangements for Chhath Puja was discussed at a high level meeting of the state office bearers of Delhi BJP. The party leaders felt that due to lackadaisical approach of the Congress government, devotees and common people face lots of problems during such big festivals.

In his letter to the Lieutenant Governor Sh. Goel said that special arrangements should be made to ensure safety of women at the Chhath Puja ghats and along the roads leading to the worship sites. He also said that the administration should take measures for crowd management at the Chhath Puja ghats.

Shri Goel has also directed the Mayors of the three BJP-ruled municipal corporations urging them to make take appropriate measures to ensure that Chhath Puja is celebrated with traditional fervour by the people of Delhi. He asked them to take all measures to provide all the possible facilities to the devotees and common people celebrating Chhath Puja in parks, make-shift ponds and other water bodies in areas under the three municipal corporations. The areas under jurisdiction of the MCDs should be cleaned and sanitized, with proper lime powder markings, he said.

Election Commission going soft on poll guidelines violations by Congress : Goel

• Delhi BJP opposes move to rename Targeted Public Distribution Scheme as Indiraamma Anna Yojana
• Goel lambasts union Food Minister, Congress CM and Ministers for unabated  misuse of  official machinery
• Election Commission going soft on poll guidelines violations by Congress : Goel

The  Delhi Bharatiya Janata Party President Shri Vijay Goel today  lambasted the Congress led UPA government for mooting a proposal to rename the existing Targeted Public Distribution System as Indiraamma Anna Yojana Shri Goel said this is a blatant attempt by Congress to get political mileage from national resources and the BJP will oppose any such move. The BJP will not allow Congress to hijack the national resources for petty political gains.

The Union food minister K.V. Thomas have recently said on record that there is a proposal to rename the existing Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) and the government is considering renaming it as Indiramma Anna Yojana.

Shri Goel said, “Right now no new announcements regarding renaming of the scheme after a particular political leader belonging to any political party can be made, yet the Congress leaders are attempting to violate these norms. The Election Commission should take note of this and take strict action against the Union Food Minister for going public with such comments.”

The Union Food Minister’s statement, at a time when election code of conduct is in force, is against the spirit of democratic norms and the Congress seems to desperate to misuse its position by naming a system meant for the poor in one of its own leaders’ name.

Shri Goel said the latest step is not a standalone case. In the last few days the Congress has been blatantly misusing government resources. He expressed concern that the Election Commission is adopting a very lenient approach when it comes to violation of poll guidelines by Congress leaders.”

“We are concerned that the Election Commission seems to be quite soft on poll guidelines violations by Congress. We demand strict  and immediate action  in such instances,” said Shri Goel.

“The BJP had recently pointed out the printing of photographs of CM and Power Minister on thousands of BSES bills. After that the BSES, which has 49% stake of Delhi government, accepted this was violation of poll guidelines yet it has been let off the hook with no action taken against anyone.

The Election Commission should penalize all those who were involved in violation of these norms by BSES. There is no action visible on the ground. The BJP will take up this matter further as it wants strict action against those who are working hand in glove with Congress government for misuse of official machinery, said Shri Goel.

The Delhi BJP President also pointed out that the Chief Minister’s official residence is being used for political press conferences. “We would like to know why no action is being taken by the Election Commission to stop this misuse of official machinery. The BJP demands that the misuse of official residence of CM should be immediately stopped and action should be initiated against CM and her three ministers who are holding regular press conferences there.”

THE CONDITION IN SHEILA DIKSHIT’S CONNAUGHT PLACE, BALMIKI BASTIS, SLUMS IS PATHETIC EVEN TODAY - DR. HARSH VARDHAN

BJP’s Chief Ministerial candidate Dr. Harsh Vardhan has accused the Chief Minister of Delhi of misleading the people and issuing false statement and said that addressing the Congressmen yesterday the Chief Minister had told in Badarpur that her Government has changed the face of Delhi. This is completely false claim because Smt. Sheila Dikshit is the Chief Minister of Delhi for the last 15 years but the condition of Connaught Place in her Assembly Constituency is just like the condition of a remote village, what to talk of rest of Delhi. During the Commonwealth Games renovation work was started in Connaught Place but even today it is full of pot holes.  Many people have fallen in them and broken their legs.  The cost of renovation has increased hundred times. 30,000 people living in 13 slums in this area do not get the supply of drinking water and other facilities. More than 15000 families in Balmiki Bastis are living in pathetic conditions. The condition in the backyards of the MPs and Ministers is hellish. Nobody is taking care of it.  

Data show that New Delhi area is the most important area in Delhi.  Parliament House, President House, PM Residence, Ministers and MPs residence and all the important ministries of the Central Government are located in New Delhi area.  Many sensitive areas like Connaught Place, Janpath, Gole Market, Kali Badi Marg, Panchkuiya Road, Khan Market, Jor Bagh, Sujan Singh Park, Padara Road, Laxmi Bai Nagar, Kidwai Nagar, Sarojani Nagar, Safdurjang Airport etc. are in this constituency. Smt. Sheila Dikshit is being elected Legislator from this area for the last 15 years.  In spite of this she has not been able to find way to improve the hellish condition of the people living in slums in New Delhi area.  Congress had promised of better living conditions to the people of Assembly Constituency on the occasion of all the three elections held in past.  These promises were never fulfilled.  These 30 thousand people do not get the supply of drinking water and they depend on tube wells for drinking water.  The ground water of Delhi has become poisonous and hence many people have died and many have fallen seriously ill after drinking the ground drawn from the tube wells.

There are 16 Dhobi Ghats in New Delhi area. Livelihood of about 10 thousand peoples is connected with these Dhobi Ghats. During the last 15 years the condition of these Dhobi Ghats has become dangerous. People are fed up with repeated promises of Sheila Dikshit.  From the month of April 2009 to March 2012 8.85 crores rupees have been allotted to the Legislator fund of the Chief Minister.  Out of this 30.9 percent money has been spent on constructing Porta-Cabins (temporary shelter), 13.7 percent has been spent on constructing boundary walls of the residences of Ministers and MPs, 14.2 percent on the constructions of roads, 12.4 percent on the construction of stair cases and 5.3 percent on other works. Even today 1.75 crores remain unspent in the CMs Legislator’s fund.  Had this amount been spent for the J.J. Dwellers then they could have been supplied drinking water.  Since they are poor and helpless, nobody is taking care of them.

Dr. Harsh Vardhan told that the Chief Minister is the Chairperson of many committees in her AC. It is surprising that the District Grievance Redressel Committee has not been formed yet. The committee under District Development Committee is yet to be formed. CM is the Chairperson of PS level committee but she did not attend any meeting from January 2012 to January 2013. This shows that how much she is concerned about the security of New Delhi area.  B.K. Dutt colony came up in New Delhi area for the refugees after the partition of the country. This is the oldest colony but even after six decades of independence, the people in this colony have not been allowed for additional construction although the number of members of the family has increased four times.  The people of this area have to go outside to purchase articles of food and other essential items. This area lacks cheap markets where the poor people could go for shopping. Due to this they are facing great difficulties.   

Delhi heads for “Black Diwali” with rising prices hitting every family in the city: Goel

·         Delhi Govt’s hollow claims on onion crisis fail to provide respite to common people

·         Rising prices causing grave hardship to people as government fails to act: Goel

New Delhi, October, 29:  Delhi BJP President Sh. Vijay Goel today slammed the Congress government for turning this year’s Diwali into a “Black Diwali” by its failure to control skyrocketing prices. Rising prices are causing grave hardship to common people in Delhi.

With prices of onions still hovering around Rs. 85-90 per kg., and prices of other essential commodities and vegetables showing a steep hike of 200-300% recently, every family in the city is affected.

(Table given at the end of this press statement shows the skyrocketing prices.)

Sh. Goel said, “The cosmetic measures announced by the Congress government are inadequate and not benefiting anyone. Just 350 Safal outlets and 150 mobile onion vans are insufficient to cater the needs of 1.67 crore people of Delhi. Similar half-hearted steps were taken earlier as well by the Congress government. The mobile onion vans remained invisible and have brought no relief to people, and bad quality onions were sold at Safal outlets.”

Ironically, while Delhi and rest of the country are facing acute onion crisis due to total mismanagement of economy by the Congress government, onions are being continuously exported. The result is that Indian onions are available at Rs. 40-45/kg in Bangladesh while they are selling at double this price in Delhi.

Sh. Goel said, “The Congress government is misleading through false claims of low production of onions. Infact according to the National Horticultural Research & Development Foundation of the Union Agriculture Ministry, the onion production for 2013-14 is estimated to be 10-15% higher than the last year.”

Various agencies had warned the government of impending onion crisis due to gross irregularities in the supply chain. NAFED wrote letters to the Delhi government, while the Competition Commission of India had asked the Congress led UPA government at the Centre to take effective steps to correct the irregularities of supply chain.  But nothing was done.

Average Prices of essential food items in 2010 and 2013

Articles	Prices in 2010 (in Rs.)	Prices in 2013 (in Rs.)
Rice	30	50
Arhar Dal	60	90
Urad Dal	70	90
Rajma	105	120
Chana (Gram)	80	90
Atta	10-12	18-20
Milk	32	44
Sugar	33	45
Tea	175/kg	250/kg
Salt	10	20
Mustard Oil	80/L	115-120/L
Eggs	30/ dozen	60/ dozen

Fuel prices in Delhi

Fuel	2010	2013
Petrol	47.93/L	76.06 in Sept, now 72.40/L
Diesel	40.1/ L	52.54/L
CNG	21.70/Kg	45.60/Kg

Smt. Sushma Swaraj launches revised edition of A Tale of Two Drops by Dr Harsh Vardhan

Pulse polio launched by Dr Harsh Vardhan in 1994 about to take India to polio free certification by WHO

The former Health Minister of India and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Mrs Sushma Swaraj, released today the revised edition of Dr Harsh Vardhan’s 2004 book, A Tale of Two Drops (Ocean Books, New Delhi).

The original edition and its subsequent reprints detailed how the original Pulse Polio campaign in Delhi was conceived by Dr Harsh Vardhan, then the Health Minister of the new state, and carried to its logical conclusion on October 2, 1994. The following year, thanks to bipartisan support, he was able to persuade the entire health machinery of India–government and non-government – into replicating the Delhi experiment.

The new edition comes with the present position in India’s fight against polio. On January 13, there occurred in Howrah, West Bengal, the unfortunate death of a little girl from polio. As per World Health Organization’s rules, a country has got to have zero cases of polio for full three years before being eligible for polio free certification. On January 13, 2011 India is expected to join the proud community of nations which have made polio history.

India, thanks to the Pulse Polio campaign’s sensational success, has already left the group of polio endemic countries. As of today only three countries belong to this group –Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria – but India could well have been part of it had Dr Harsh Vardhan not taken the bold initiative back in 1994.

Dr Harsh Vardhan continues to be paid glowing tributes by the world community of health experts. After all, mankind’s war against polio is the second biggest public health initiative since the eradication of small pox in 1970s. India, because of its huge size and population and diversity of terrain and development status, was considered forbidden ground by WHO’s experts. This was admitted as recently as 2012 at a “Polio Summit” organized by the Government of India which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. At that event, WHO’s Assistant Director-General for Polio, Dr Bruce Aylward, had recalled how as a young official back on tour to Delhi in the early 1990s, he had been awestruck by Dr Harsh Vardhan’s commitment and energy.

Reflections

Dr Harsh Vardhan said on the occasion that when the history of polio eradication in India is written, the role of the common man, woman and child –apart from the government officials, doctors and paramedics – will be recalled glowingly.

 “I recall the Polio Senas that we had developed. They were young school children from our government schools. With great sense of pride and commitment they went about visiting homes and persuading people to bring their babies out on Pulse Polio day. Today they are men and women with their own children. I wish them the best and hope the new generation of Delhi’s children will respond with equal enthusiasm when I launch more mass movements against other problems faced by the society, etc,” Dr Harsh Vardhan said.

 “There was negativism all around, he recalled. People today say that my plans to eradicate corruption through the prevention route (using state of the art e-governance mechanisms, videography of key Govt. meetings, expanding the scope of  RTI Act, etc.) would be impossible to carry out. I recall how the same negativity was used when I conceived Pulse Polio,” he said.

 “A lot of people told me that the logistics were too awesome. But I was convinced that if there is a will there is a way. If the Election Commission and the governments can deliver ballot papers to the remotest of areas over varied terrains all over the country on a single day to enable voting, why would it be difficult to deliver polio vaccines?”

He pointed out, “Political will backed by administrative determination can overcome any problem. It is often said that Delhi Police being a central government organization does not cooperate with Delhi Government. But in the early 1990s, the then police commissioner of Delhi, Mr Kaushal, not only deployed 52,000 of his constables to make Pulse Polio possible, he also put at our disposal hundreds of Gypsy vehicles. The Home Guards and civil defence officials of Delhi also played a vital role. There were no hitches.”

“There is, above all, a common goal. Everybody, regardless of what he/she does or how he/she is placed in life, wants that goal to be achieved and would like to contribute in his or her own way. The job of a leader is to collect the diverse synergies and channelize them towards the common goal,” he pointed out.

Future Resolve

Dr Harsh Vardhan, who won highest awards from World Health Organization, Rotary Foundation, Lions International, Indian Medical Association and many other national and international organizations, said today that he would continue to work ceaselessly to eradicate preventable diseases from Delhi and India. Of all the honours bestowed upon him, he cherishes most the title “Swasthya Vardhan” given to him by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

“Health is a bipartisan subject. I call for help from my friends in the political class and all others to join us in making India’s pulse polio story the gold standard in mass immunization programmes.  In the coming days I will reveal the specific plans that I have for making Delhi’s citizens totally covered by a unique health plan which will be the envy of the whole world,” he said.

Goel invites Rahul Gandhi on a fact-finding tour of Delhi

• Goel invites Rahul Gandhi on a fact-finding tour of Delhi
• Delhi CM is misleading Congress leadership and people of Delhi: Goel
• Congress govt. is spending money on superficial projects rather than basic amenities: Goel
• Delhi CM should make her stand clear on statehood for Delhi: Goel

Delhi BJP President Shri Vijay Goel today invited Congress Vice-president Shri Rahul Gandhi on a tour of Delhi so that he can have the first hand experience of the deterioration of the city in the last 15 years of Congress’s misrule. He said that the Congress Vice-president seems to be totally unaware of the ground realities of Delhi. Shri Goel also slammed the Delhi Chief Minister for creating confusion over the full statehood demand for Delhi.

In a statement issued today, Shri Goel said, “The Delhi Chief Minister is misleading not only the people of Delhi but even her party on the issue of development in Delhi. It seems that the Congress Vice-president only sees the picture presented to him by the Chief Minister and builds his opinion about Delhi completely oblivious to the situation at ground. I invite him to a tour of Delhi so that his myths are busted.”

Shri Goel said, “The Chief Minister should make her stand clear on the issue of statehood. She is creating confusion by referring to multiplicity of authorities but not supporting the BJP’s demand for full statehood for Delhi.

The NDA government had brought the Delhi Statehood Bill, but the then Congress government under the present Chief Minister had opposed the Bill in 2004. The Chief Minister had then declared that Delhi cannot get full statehood like other states.

Shri Goel said, “The Chief Minister gets senior Congress leaders including the Congress President to inaugurate government’s schemes with much fanfare but does not implement them properly thereafter. Schemes like Rajiv Ratna Awas Yojana, Annashree Yojana and Food Security Scheme have all proven to be non-starter.”

The Congress government had promised in 2008 to provide 60,000 affordable houses to the poor but, till date not a single house has been allotted to the target population. The failure of Annashree Yojana was recognized by the Congress government itself when it announced the Food Security Scheme, which in turn was announced without proper data of the beneficiaries.

Shri Goel further said, “The entire focus of the Chief Minister has been on the superficial projects rather than on addressing the core issues of Delhi. The Congress government is spending Rs. 1,131 crore on construction of the Signature Bridge while half of the population living in the JJ clusters and slums of Delhi do not have access to toilets and other basic civic amenities. Almost half of Delhi does not get clean drinking water from the Delhi Jal Board.”

The Signature Bridge project was announced in 2004 and it is still under construction. In between the estimated cost of the bridge has been revised at least six times leading to huge escalation of cost. The CAG questioned cost escalation by Rs 672 crore.

SONIA GANDHI, MANMOHAN SINGH SHOULD APOLOGISE TO THE COUNTRY FOR THEIR MEAN COMMENTS AGAINST SANGH AND BJP – DR. HARSH VARDHAN

Delhi BJP’s Chief Ministerial candidate and former Pradesh President Dr. Harsh Vardhan has expressed his strong reactions to the ridiculous and anti national comments on the Congress Party, Janta Dal (U) and other anti BJP parties on the serial bomb blasts in Hunkar Rally of Sh. Narender Modi. He told that the Congress Party and other small parties of the country are frustrated due to the announcement of Shri Modi as the candidate for the post of Prime Minister and they are making such comments which are tarnish the image of the country in the world.  The Chief Minister of Bihar Nitish Kumar has termed the bomb blasts as conspiracy and a pre planned incident. The Congress Spokesperson Satyavrat Chaturvedi has given the proof of his mental illness by terming the bomb blasts as an act by the Sangh Parivar.  Dr. Harsh Vardhan demanded that the way in which the senior leaders of his party are making comments on the incident, the Prime Minister and the Congress President Mrs. Sonia Gandhi should publicly apologise to the people. Expressing his sympathy to the family members of the innocent persons killed in the rally, he also demanded the Bihar Government that the family members of the persons who died and injured in the incident should be given sufficient compensation.

It may be mentioned that the Bihar Government had been informed many months in advance about the Hunkar Rally in Patna. In spite of this, anti national elements hatched conspiracy to killed Sh. Narender Modi in broad day light and the Nitish Government watched silently. The conspiracy was so deep that the terrorists had planted human bombs on the site of the rally. If bomb blast had not taken place at railway station then a big untoward incident could have happened. Nitish Kumar says that the Central Government had not informed about any conspiracy. Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde said that on the 1^st October itself, the Home Ministry had issued an advisory to the Bihar Government that the terrorists are hatching a conspiracy against the rally. In spite of this, there was no metal detector or bomb disposal squad for the rally. Even the Ambulance was not present at the site of rally. More than 7 lakh people had assembled in the rally. They remained patient and avoided stampede which could have caused death of thousands. Nitish Kumar should take the responsibility for all these incidents and resigned immediately.

Dr. Harsh Vardhan told that on the one hand a historical Hunkar Rally was going on in Patna and on the other hand Government sponsored rally of Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi was going on in Mangolpuri of Delhi. Inspite of all the Government facilities not even 5000 people assembled here to listen Rahul Gandhi. It may be mentioned that Minister Raj Kumar Chauhan who is a Cabinet Minister in Sheila Dikshit Government represents Mangolpuri AC. Congress President Jai Prakash Aggrawal, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit many Central Ministers and Ministers of Delhi Government had utilized all their resources but the rally failed. It indicates the popularity of Mr. Rahul Gandhi. The Mangolpuri seat has been with the Congress Party for the last many years. The area Legislator is also the Minister and in spites of this the rally of the future Prime Ministerial Candidate of the Congress party and yet the rally failed. This indicates that the Congress party is not going to rule the country after the next elections.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, Congress President Sonia Gandhi, Vice President Rahul Gandhi very well know that they are going to lose the next election. There is nothing like Government in the country and Delhi. One can see anarchy, loot, corruption, price rise, lack of accountability everywhere. Two crore people of Delhi are suffering due to corruption and price rise. The people of Delhi have made up their mind to defeat the Congress in the next elections and bring BJP at center and Delhi. The slogan of ‘Sushasan Sankalp-Bhajpa Vikalp’ is on the lips of Delhites. They want to see the BJP rule and remove the Manmohan Government. Dr. Harsh Vardhan said that the people of the country and Delhi know everything and they are not going to be misled by the propaganda of the Congress. The country has decided to handover the rein of power to BJP.

Festive spirit dampened due to skyrocketing prices and govt.’s inaction: Goel

·        Delhi BJP slams Congress govt. for high vegetable prices in Delhi

·        Festive spirit dampened due to skyrocketing prices and govt.’s inaction: Goel

Delhi BJP President Shri Vijay Goel today lambasted the Congress government for total mismanagement of the prices of essential commodities in Delhi as the onions are selling at the year’s highest prices across the city. Besides onions, other staple vegetables such as potatoes and tomatoes are also selling at unprecedented prices causing lots of hardship to people of Delhi.

The wholesale price of onions has climbed to an unprecedented level and the onions sold at Rs. 65 per kg in wholesale markets on Monday. In retail, onions cost around and even above Rs. 100 per kg. For several months, onions are being sold between Rs. 70 and Rs. 90 in the city. Apart from onions, other vegetables like potatoes, tomatoes, cauliflower, cabbage and even green chillies are selling at very high prices in Delhi.

In a statement issued today, Shri Goel said, “The festival season is around but the Congress government has dampened the mood of festivity owing to its inept handling of the price situation. The vegetable prices, particularly on onions, in Delhi have increased by over 30% just over the last one week.”

Shri Goel further said, “At several places in Delhi, onion prices have crossed Rs. 90-100 per kg rate. As the government has taken no concrete step to mitigate prices, the situation is likely to worsen further in the coming days.”

“The overall production of onions this year has been estimated 10-15% higher than the last year. This means, we have enough onions for people, but the Congress government has been doing nothing to ensure supply of the vegetable even though demand has been persistent and people have been complaining about high prices due to lack of adequate supply of onions,” Shri Goel said.

Delhi's onion consumption is about 800 tonnes per day. On Monday, 1,200-1,300 bags of onion, weighing about 90 tonnes, arrived at the Azadpur wholesale market. This means there is a gap of about 710 tonnes of onions for daily consumption in Delhi. This is a reflection of the absence of planning by Delhi government. The situation with other vegetables is equally bad. This state of affairs is the result of total collapse of administration in Delhi under the Congress regime.  

BJP to formulate long term plan for corruption-free development in Delhi: Goel

·         Goel meets Saturday and Sunday club members in Lodhi Garden, shares BJP’s Delhi Vision

·         BJP to formulate long term plan for corruption-free development in Delhi: Goel

Delhi BJP President Shri Vijay Goel early this morning met more than 150 members of ‘Saturday and Sunday Clubs’ at Lodhi Garden and shared BJP’s vision for Delhi’s development to make it a world class city. The ‘Saturday and Sunday Club’ members comprising all age groups shared their concerns with Shri Goel over various issues bothering the city including high inflation and corruption among others.

Shri Goel had a frank exchange of views with the morning walkers. They discussed the matter of rising prices of essential commodities, widespread corruption, absence of governance in Delhi and concerns over safety of women among other issues in the city. People also put several queries to Shri Goel about how the BJP will solve the problems Delhi is facing. Shri Goel shared with them the broader framework that the BJP is planning to tackle the challenges, when it is voted to power, in Delhi.

Shri Goel said, “The BJP will bring down the power tariff by 30% in Delhi, when elected to power. It is one of the things that are easily doable to benefit the common citizens of Delhi. Power tariff is high in Delhi not because of cost equation but because of corruption and lack of political will on part of the government.”

Responding to a query on the inaccessibility of government, Shri Goel said, “The BJP, when voted to power, will make administration accessible to people, whose concerns will have the top-most priority for the government. The administration will be made transparent, efficient and sympathetic to people’s concerns under the BJP.”

Sharing BJP’s vision for Delhi, Shri Goel said, “The BJP will formulate a long term development plan for Delhi based on the ground reality of the city in the view of fast changing needs, socio-economic composition and landscape of the city. Delhi will be turned into a world class city in real sense of terms with proper planning and corruption free development.”

During their interaction with Shri Goel, people expressed dissatisfaction with the prevailing state of affairs in the city. They said that due to unabated rise in prices of onions and other vegetables, they are facing lots of hardship as the prices have been hovering in the higher brackets for far too long to be sustainable for most of the households.

Shri Goel shared the sentiments of the people and assured them of bringing price situation under control when the BJP is elected to power after the elections. He said that the BJP stands by the people of Delhi and is committed to the welfare of people and all-round development of the city.