AAP promises uninterrupted power supply, cut in power tariff by half

NEW DELHI: Aam Aadmi Party convener Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday promised special status for villages while addressing a huge crowd of rural constituents in Ghumanhera. Attended by residents of several villages in the city's western belt, the event saw AAP unfold its agenda for 362 villages in the capital as part of its ' village dialogue'.

Kejriwal said that wards in villages will be re-carved in such way that the rural population would be able to preserve its distinct identity. "Our aim would be of recognizing our villages as villages, conserving their cultural legacy and heritage. Local gram sabhas will take decisions regarding their development. They will be allotted a special village development fund, akin to the local development fund made available to each colony in urban areas," he said.

As part of an overhaul of basic facilities, the party has promised 24 hours power supply, reduction of power tariff by half, a lifeline water supply of 20 kilolitres per month and piped water connection within five years. Improvement in sewage disposal and drainage, increase in ambulances in rural Delhi by 50, improved services by fire department, 100 new schools, more senior secondary schools, increased reach of bus and Metro, better waste disposal and creation of more garbage dumps was also promised.

Attention has been paid to rural youth in the dialogue, with the party stressing on improvement in education, sports and job availability. "We will set up 20 new colleges in Delhi's villages with special emphasis on skill training. Sports stadiums will be set up in villages to nurture and promote talented youth from villages, while additional weightage will be given to girl students from rural areas in Delhi government funded and aided colleges. The government will also create eight lakh new jobs for youth over the next five years," Kejriwal said.

To improve the rural economy, the party has proposed special assistance to farmers for animal husbandry and horticulture while more veterinary hospitals will be set up. It will introduce an insurance scheme for animals and loans for procuring animal stock.

On land reforms, the party said that it would extend Lal Dora to accommodate a growing population while no land acquisition will be allowed in villages without the consent of the gram sabha. "Injustice and harassment caused under sections 33 and 81 of Delhi Land Reform Act which do not permit a farmer to sell his agricultural land will be removed. Allotments will be made according to Indira Gandhi's 20-point programme where agricultural and residential land was supposed to be given to landless and poor people," said the AAP chief.