The Hindu : Sheila's stress on Statehood Bill

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jan 26, 2004

New Delhi

New Delhi

Sheila's stress on Statehood Bill

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, JAN. 25. The Delhi Chief Minister, Sheila Dikshit, today exhorted the people of the Capital to come forward and join hands with the Government in impressing upon the Centre to pass the Statehood Bill in the forthcoming session of the current Parliament.

Addressing children present in the Chhatrasal Stadium and through them the citizens of Delhi after unfurling the national flag on the eve of the 54th Republic Day, Ms. Dikshit stressed her Government's vision of making Delhi a global city for which they had concrete plans, but said it could not be achieved if the current prevalent multiplicity of authorities was not abolished by empowering the State Government through a comprehensive Statehoood Bill. On the occasion, she also inspected the guard of honour and witnessed a march past as well as cultural presentations depicting the pluralistic ethos of the country.

Giving full credit to the children for launching campaigns like greening of the city through eco-clubs, the "Say No to Plastic Bags'' and the "Say No to Crackers'' campaign, she appealed to them to take up the task of spreading the message of scientific management and segregation of garbage for making the city clean.

Taking stock of the achievements of her Government, the Chief Minister said after visible successes in the field of power, Metro, education and conversion of public transport to CNG, it was committed to make significant progress in the field of roads, public transport, social housing and improved education and health services.

The Chief Minister also took the opportunity to outline the State Government's plan to make cycling popular amongst the citizens of the Capital especially among students and children. This, Ms. Diskhit said, will not only go a long way in ensuring good health but will also ensure that a pollution-free and cheap mode of transport becomes popular in the Capital.

Ms. Diskhit informed that the Education Department was in the process of drawing up a plan to set up cycling clubs in schools where the Government will provide cycles. A related plan of building cycle tracks and decongestion of roads to enable safe riding was also being drawn up, she informed.

Expressing satisfaction over improvement in education in Government schools during the past five years, Ms. Dikshit said that much needed to be done yet. She stressed the need for a sports policy, the immediate aim of which would be to ensure that every discipline at the forthcoming Commonwealth Games 2010, had at least one Delhi participant competing.

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

New Delhi

News Update

Stories in this Section

Delhi Govt. continues to favour `ill' flyover firm

New power plant in the pipeline

Sheila's stress on Statehood Bill

`MCD following Centre's directive on relocation'

High drama at airport over hoax bomb call

People advised to avoid parade route

`Sonia resorting to melodrama'

Police officers honoured

Sword of honour

Padma Shri for doctor

Foundations of railway projects laid