AAP vows cheaper power

Says it will ensure water availability to all citizens, cut consumers' electricity expenditure by 50%

Arvind Kejriwal -led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Wednesday released its manifesto for the Delhi Assembly elections, promising an array of things to lure the voter, starting from a strong anti-corruption legislation within 15 days of coming to power to halving the electricity bill.

In a long list of promises, the AAP said it would ensure water availability to all citizens, cut consumers’ electricity expenditure by 50 per cent, complete investigations against corrupt politicians and bureaucrats within one year and set up Mohalla Sabhas to manage development work. In addition, a “citizen’s security force” will be formed with a branch in each ward, that would provide security to anyone in distress, with a special focus on women, children and senior citizens.

 “We just don’t want to change the chief minister of Delhi, we also want to change the corrupt system,” said AAP member and political scientist Yogendra Yadav, who released the manifesto here alongside Kejriwal.

Promising a Lok Pal Bill within 15 days of coming to power, the party said the Lok Pal will have powers to investigate all public servants, and it will be given financial, administrative and investigative independence.

In cases of corruption against ministers, MLAs and secretaries, investigation will be completed between six months and one year. The provisions of the Bill will include confiscation of property of the guilty.

The manifesto claimed the party would to ensure cheaper electricity and water.

Coming hard on the distributing companies (discoms), the party said it would order an audit of all discoms, and those discoms that won’t agree their licences will be cancelled. The party has also proposed to introduce open-access, which allows consumers to choose discoms. At present, the option of open-access is only allowed for bulk customers who consume more than 1 Mw. Mumbai is the only city that allows open-access for ordinary customers.

The party also said it would provide water to all households, and those who consume water up to 700 litres daily will be charged no fees. In a bid to introduce Swaraj, the AAP’s manifesto talks of introducing ‘Mohalla Sabhas’. These Sabhas will monitor the functioning of local schools, primary health centres and ration shops.

Development work in any locality will be taken by the Mohalla Sabhas.
Jan Lokpal Bill:

* Pass Lok Pal Bill within 15 days of coming to power.

* Cases against Ministers, MLAs and secretaries to be completed between six months to one year.

Electricity:

* Reduction of consumer’s electricity expenditure by 50%.

* Ordering an audit of discoms, rectifying inflated bills and getting electricity bills checked by independent agencies.

* Licences to be cancelled of any discom, who refuses the audit.

* Discoms would be brought under RTI and their accounts made more transparent.

* Discoms’ monopolies to be ended.

Water:

* Households using up to 700 litres of water (per day) would be given free water.

* Clampdown on tanker mafia.

Women’s security:

* Citizen’s security forces will be formed with a branch in each ward, who would provide security to anyone in distress, but with special focus on women, children and senior citizens.

* Implementation of the recommendations of the Verma Committee

Unauthorised colonies

* Regulation of unauthorised colonies