Power sector reforms a major gain

By Sujay Mehdudia

NEW DELHI, DEC. 3.

The Delhi Chief Minister, Ms. Sheila Dixit, today termed reforms in the power sector, involvement of citizens through the ``bhagidari'' scheme in the upkeep and development of the city, and unleashing of IT revolution as major achievements of her Government during the past one year. But at the same time, she termed the ``dissidence'' in the party as not a happy situation.

``We have been able to percolate power to the people and involve them in the day to day functioning of administration. Although, we have faced a lot of opposition and non-cooperation from the BJP dominated MCD, this has not deterred us. The result is that nearly 100 resident welfare and market associations have joined hands to keep Delhi clean and green,'' she told The Hindu in an interview on completion of two years in office.

Acknowledging that dissidence had deflected attention from the achievements of the Government, she said that the dissidents were able to create a false impression that things were at a standstill. However, matters have settled down and in the past four to five months, major projects had been launched which would show results in the near future. ``Dissidence is not only painful, it is also not a happy situation for any set-up. It is for the party high command to look into and sort out,'' she remarked.

Introduction of power reforms and corporatisation of the Delhi Vidyut Board was the highlight of the year, Ms. Dixit said. In addition, the greening of 220 acres at Bhatti Mines by the Territorial Army in memory of Kargil martyrs was another achievement. Free computer education in 150 Government schools and fall in pollution levels itself spoke of the Government's hard work in other sectors. It had also brought out the Vision 2021 document, which would be the mantra for any future development of the city.

Ms. Dixit said much more needed to be done in the transport sector where efforts were on to induct eco-friendly CNG buses in accordance with the Supreme Court orders. Initiation of work on 25-odd flyovers, many of which would become operational in the next few months, and the fast pace of work on Delhi Metro indicated the Government's commitment towards development. It is for the first time that any Government in Delhi has taken the initiative to start work on such huge infrastructure projects.

The Chief Minister said upgradation of the Wazirabad water treatment plant and allotment of contract for constructing the Sonia Vihar Water Treatment Plant were pointers in this direction. For the first time, the Government took steps to replace worn-out water pipes with new ones. The Sonia Vihar plant would give 140 MGD of water on completion in 2003, solving the scarcity of East Delhi.

On the health front, Ms. Dixit said no major outbreak of any disease had taken place since her Government took over, and added that Delhi would be polio free by the beginning of next year. Work had been launched on constructing seven new hospitals, which will improve the bed capacity.

She said her experience with Central agencies had not been quiet pleasant in the past two years. Agencies like the DDA, the MCD and the Urban Development Ministry tried to create all sorts of obstacles. ``But we put our foot down. My Government took up the issue of reguarlisation of unauthorised colonies and when our views were not considered, we expressed strong resistence to recovery of penalty charges from the residents.''

Regarding closure of industries, Ms. Dixit said land was a subject with the Centre and there was nothing the Delhi Government could do without land. ``The Urban Development Ministry was not at all cooperative in lending a helping hand for relocation of the industries or making changes in the Master Plan of Delhi.''

Indicating that her priority for the coming year would be to consolidate the work already started, the Chief Minister said giving ``Right to Information'' to citizens would be her first priority. ``We are a transparent Government. We are open to scrutiny and inspection in any sphere,'' she declared.

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