Hailing the State of Delhi as one that is always involved in making pioneering efforts to implement pro-people programmes, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on Thursday said that her government was committed to making Delhi a hunger-free city. The ‘Food Security Scheme’ that will be launched on August 20 will cover all 73 lakh eligible persons, she said, adding her government will not rest till the target is achieved.
Ms. Dikshit was speaking at the State-level celebrations where she unfurled the National Flag consecutively for the 15th time on the Independence Day. She also took salute of a parade led by Assistant Commissioner of Police Pawan Kumar and comprising contingents of Delhi Police, Delhi Home Guards and Civil Defence, National Cadet Corps, Delhi Fire Services and school students.
On the state of the economy, Ms. Dikshit said Delhi has been flourishing without any hike in its share from the Central Government and it has the highest per capita income which is more than Rs.2 lakh. While lauding the “unprecedented pace of development” in the last 15 years, she recollected the state-of-affairs during 1998 and said that “there used to be power cuts for more than 11 hours apart from power riots on the streets.”
She also noted that the power situation is “comfortable” due to successful power reforms and the city government has been successful in implementing power islanding to ensure protection from grid failure. She added that people are unable to “digest the politically motivated promise to bring down power tariff” by 30 per cent and said there was no magic wand to effect such a huge reduction.
Referring to the water supply position, Ms. Dikshit said Delhi’s capital investment in Munak Canal has gone in vain and the situation has seen difficulties as the Capital is dependent on other States for additional raw water. While stating that her government has been striving hard to supply water in un-served localities, she urged people to avoid wastage of water.
In terms of infrastructure and transport sector, the Chief Minister said Delhi will certainly become better than the best cities in the world. She pointed out examples such as the redevelopment of ISBT, Kashmere Gate and the growth of the Delhi Metro’s network. “The wide roads and extraordinary flyovers like Mukarba Chowk and others have made Delhi a role model for other States in the country,” she said.
Noting that Delhi Government’s hospitals have been providing healthcare to 35 per cent of patients coming from other States, Ms. Dikshit said free treatment is also being provided to patients from economically-weaker sections of society in private hospitals. Moreover, she said, Delhi is the only city in the country to have five accredited hospitals for the purpose in Institute of Liver and Biliary Science, Chacha Nehru Bal Chikitsalaya, Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences, Delhi State Cancer Institute and Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences.
