Notwithstanding the findings of the Prime Minister-appointed Shunglu Committee, the Central Vigilance Commission and the Comptroller and Auditor General of India, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on Monday again spoke of the achievements of her government in ensuring the success of the Commonwealth Games 2010.
Speaking at the State-level function organised at Chattrasal Stadium to celebrate the 65th Independence Day, Ms. Dikshit said Delhi successfully hosted the Commonwealth Games last year. “We achieved this marvellous success despite a number of obstacles, difficulties and apprehensions. The Games helped us in accelerating the pace of development and proved to be an excellent opportunity to make world class addition in our infrastructure and further improve the existing one. We did everything to avoid any disruption to the developmental works during the Games,” she said.
Lauding the players for bringing laurels to the country, she said the Commonwealth Games also helped in moving towards making Delhi a world class city.
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The Chief Minister unfurled the National Flag, inspected the parade in a decorated open jeep, and took salute of contingents comprising Delhi Police, Delhi Fire Service, Home Guard and Civil Defence, NCC and Delhi school children. She also awarded Jeevan Rakshak Padak to Ilam Chand for saving a girl who was drowning in a canal and honoured Deputy Superintendent Raj Singh Suhag and Sanjay Gupta for their contribution in bringing about improvements in Tihar Jail.
The Chief Minister also presented a citation and cheque of Rs.50,000 each to Karthik Bhandari, Jaideep Desai, Maulik Geelani, Manan Soni and Himanshu Soni for their promptness in reporting a fire in an aircraft which saved the lives of 355 passengers and crew.
In her address, Ms. Dikshit said the Capital city has taken long strides in the field of information technology which has resulted in a number of government services become accessible on its website. “People can now get their work done without visiting government offices,” she said, adding that over 500 Jivan Centres have become functional. Besides, IT has also helped provide delivery of services within a stipulated period.
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The Chief Minister also made a mention of how the Delhi Government had initiated the move to divide the Municipal Corporation of Delhi to improve its functioning. She said the MCD was the largest local body in the country and catered to around 97 per cent of the area of Delhi. “We have decided to decentralise its activities and take the municipal administration nearer to the places of residence in Delhi. Further, the three new local bodies will have 50 per cent seats reserved for women. This decision will improve the civic services to the satisfaction of the residents,” she said.