Govt to push for full statehood for Delhi

Government will "dismantle" the barrier that has come up between the "elected and the electors" and will push for full statehood for Delhi, Lt Governor Najeeb Jung said today.
Emphasising on development and well-being of every citizen, Jung said the government will bring the Janlokpal and Swaraj Bills and focus on security of women and ensure that they feel safe in the national capital.
Pushing for full statehood for Delhi, Jung said the provisions for essential services like the law and order and affordable housing can happen only if agencies like the Delhi Police, MCD and the DDA are brought under the control of the state government.

"It is the intention of my government to push for full statehood for Delhi, which has been a long-standing demand of the people of Delhi.
"The provision of critical public services such as law and order and low-cost housing would happen more smoothly if Delhi were accorded autonomy as a full-fledged state with greater control over these aspects," Jung said in his address to the first session of the Sixth Legislative Assembly of Delhi.
Assuring protection to whistleblowers, the Lt Governor said that it will make every effort to establish Janlokpal for time bound investigation in corruption cases and bring in the Swaraj Act so that locals can have a say on issues affecting their daily lives.

"My government shall endeavour to be transparent, participative and interactive. We will make every effort to establish the Janlokpal in Delhi to ensure a time-bound investigation in corruption cases. Whistleblowers shall be provided protection from harassment.

"In a major move toward devolution of power to the people, my government shall seek to legislate the Swaraj Act so as to enable the local communities to have a say on issues affecting their daily lives. For this purpose a Citizen Local Area Development (C-LAD) Fund will be provided to local communities."
Speaking about the mandate the government has got, Jung said it carries the dreams and aspirations of young and old, rich and poor, men and women, regardless of caste, creed or religion.

"They (people) want good governance that emerges out of clean politics and to achieve this they have shown their eagerness to engage with the political process. My government intends to deepen and strengthen our democracy by involving people in issues that affect them on a daily basis.
"My government will dismantle the barriers that have come up between the elected and the electors," Jung said.