Kejri presents one-yr report card, waives water bills till Nov

New Delhi, February 14

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who completed one year in power today with the slogan ‘pehla saal bemisaal', said his government would waive off the pending water bills till November.

“Water bills are in complete disarray. Pending water bills till November 30 will be waived off. Pending water bills exemption will be based on property tax category where A and B category would be exempted 25 per cent of their water bills, C category would be exempted 50 per cent, D category would be exempted 75 per cent and E,F,G,H category would be totally exempted from their dues,” Kejriwal said.

Reiterating his government's commitment to the ‘aam aadmi' of Delhi, Kejriwal said it is our responsibility to be accountable.

Kejriwal also lauded the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) for a commendable work.

 “The DJB witnessed a profit of Rs 176 crore. We will make Delhi the first city where tap water will be worth drinking,” he added.

Kejriwal further said his government slashed electricity prices soon after coming to power.

“We were hopeful that irregularities by discom companies will come into view after the CAG audit. We are hopeful to win this case in the SC and electricity prices will further come down after CAG audit,” he added.

Expressing his delight on completing one year in office, Kejriwal earlier said the bonding between the AAP and national capital is ‘deep and everlasting'.

“Last year, on this day, Delhi fell in love with AAP. This bonding is deep n everlasting,” Kejriwal said in a tweet.

The AAP formed the government on February 14, 2015, following the landmark victory in the Delhi Assembly polls, grabbing 67 of the total 70 seats.

Kejriwal took as the Chief Minister exactly a year after he resigned after 49 days in power.

25 pc of budget to be spent on education: Sisodia

The Delhi government will spend 25 per cent of its annual budget on education sector, taking up major steps towards quality education by focusing on training programmes and physical infrastructure.

"We will spend 25 per cent of our annual budget (2016-17) on education. Perhaps in the country, this is the highest percentage of the total budget to be spent on education sector," Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia told PTI.

Sisodia, who also holds finance and education portfolios, will present the 2016-17 Budget in the Delhi Assembly in March.

In the 2015-16 Budget, the AAP government had allocated Rs 9,836 crore for the education sector out of which Rs 4,570 crore was given under the plan outlay, an increase of around 106 per cent.

"In other states, only 10 per cent to 12 per cent is spent on this sector," Sisodia said, adding the Centre too was lagging behind in this regard.

"A significant share of the budget is being given to boost education sector now. In view of this, our educational schemes will focus on quality education, training, infrastructure and international collaboration," Sisodia said.

Sisodia said that government has also planned to develop a model school village in North-East Delhi. As per the plan, about 10 schools of different streams will be built there.

‘PM trying to shield corrupt persons in Delhi’         

On the first anniversary of the AAP dispensation, the Delhi government today organised a ‘phone-in programme’ where Kejriwal and his cabinet colleagues took questions from people for an hour over phone and Twitter.

Responding to a query by one Abhishek on Twitter, Sisodia said, “Modi ji is fully trying to protect corrupt persons in Delhi. Delhi Assembly had passed Janlokpal Bill which has been sent to the Centre for its approval.

“Once it is approved from the Centre, Lokpal will nab these persons (corrupt),” he said.

Abhishek had asked why the Delhi government does not talk to the Prime Minister to take over Delhi Police.

Responding to another question by a caller, the Deputy Chief Minister said when the AAP had formed its government, Delhi government’s Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) was doing well to apprehend “corrupt persons”.

“When ACB was working under the government, there was fear among officers. And, central government’s advocates were also requesting the courts to protect the police personnel from ACB,” Sisodia said.— ANI/PTI