The Hindu : Reforms agenda for five priority areas

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jan 23, 2004

New Delhi

New Delhi

Reforms agenda for five priority areas

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, JAN. 22. Taking forward the process of "reforms" in supply and distribution of water in the Capital, the Delhi Cabinet today decided to put in place a regulatory authority in the next fortnight to decide on tariffs and functioning of Delhi Jal Board. The Cabinet also identified five priority areas, including social housing, water reforms, roads, education, health and public transport for the next five years.

A decision to this effect was taken at the Cabinet meeting, chaired by the Chief Minister, Sheila Dikshit. It was decided that on the lines of the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC), a regulatory body for decisions on tariff hike, supply and distribution of water and restructuring of Delhi Jal Board should be constituted.

It is learnt the Government had worked out all formalities and such a body is likely to be in place in the next fortnight. This should set at rest speculation about any tariff increase by the Delhi Government, as this issue is now likely to be put before the regulatory body.

In another development, the Cabinet was given a detailed presentation by the senior AICC leader, Jairam Ramesh on the focus areas that need to be taken care of in the next five years. Apart from identifying thrust areas, priority sectors were also discussed.

The presentation by Dr. Ramesh focussed on key areas and the plan of action that needs to be undertaken. Social housing involving construction of low-cost houses was prioritised as the first thrust area for the Government. This, it was felt, would help in easing out the housing problem and also help resolve the issues of resettlement and rehabilitation of slum and JJ clusters.

"The Cabinet has asked the Chief Secretary to identify land under the jurisdiction of the Delhi Government so that some kind of project could be started in this sector,'' Ms. Dikshit said.

The presentation also identified roads as priority area and the need for having international standard roads in the Capital. The stress should be on quality, use of latest technology for construction of main as well as service roads.

It was decided that Delhi would be developed as a centre for all modern activities that also helps fulfil social needs. Identifying education and health as primary areas, the Cabinet decided that all Government schools and hospitals would be networked to bring about a qualitative improvement in the standard of education and health services.

Sanitation involving scientific and efficient management and disposal of garbage would be the Government's priority during the next five years. Similarly cost effective, fast moving and user friendly public transport was identified as another thrust area, where the Government would take concrete steps for time bound improvement.

The Cabinet also decided to impress upon the Centre to give more powers, including Statehood, to the duly elected Government to enable it to live up to the expectations of people and fulfil their aspirations. It sought an end to the multiplicity of authority. This could only be achieved by granting Statehood. The Cabinet decided that a white paper on this issue would soon be brought out and the Government would try to impress upon the Centre to o get the Statehood Bill passed in the coming Parliament session.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

New Delhi