AAP min suggests powers be split between Centre, Delhi govt to run city

AAP Minister Gopal Rai today suggested that the powers be split between the Centre and the Delhi government to run the national capital, saying that the central government should be responsible for Lutyens' Delhi while the city administration for the rest of the city.

During a discussion on a government's resolution on full statehood status to Delhi in the assembly, Rai said that the formula of separate responsibilities for the national capital and the Centre should be added to the resolution.

The development minister said that the Centre can have responsibilities for maintaining the law and order, water and electricity in areas run by the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), but rest of Delhi can be taken care of by the city government.

He demanded a meeting of all ministers and AAP MLAs with Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on June 10 to discuss next course of action to press for party's demand for full statehood status to Delhi.

Raking up the issue of full statehood for Delhi in the assembly yesterday, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia listed projects and proposals of the AAP government, including appointment of anti-corruption ombudsman Jan Lokpal and implementation of decentralisation initiative Swaraj, was stuck because of "interference" by the Centre and the Lieutenant Governor.

Sisodia had said that there were "flaws" in the system which was why an elected government did not have power.

He also said that the AAP dispensation could not fulfil many of its poll promises such as appointing anti-corruption ombudsman Jan Lokpal, implementing decentralisation initiative Swaraj and installing CCTV cameras across Delhi as it did not have enough powers.