AAP will consult public on projects

NEW DELHI: Aam Aadmi Party is gearing up to implement a version of the mohalla sabha concept in its 27 constituencies to decide on spending the Rs 4 crore MLA local area development scheme (MLALAD). The fund, which was stopped by the AAP government in January, was released by LG Najeeb Jung recently.

On Wednesday, all 27 legislators met at party chief Arvind Kejriwal's residence to decide what to do with the funds. "MLAs will conduct meetings in their constituencies and take feedback from people. During the election, we had made local manifestos and these will come in handy in deciding which projects to sanction first. I have scheduled two meetings in the next few days and more will follow," said Rajesh Garg, MLA from Rohini.

AAP's concept of mohalla sabhas would have been part of their Bill on Swaraj. This would have given freedom to mohalla sabhas, with representation of residents to decide where and how to spend constituency funds. With formal mohalla sabhas not being in place, AAP has decided to consult residents before spending the MLALAD.

"AAP believes in public participation. Nobody will know better than the local population where funding is needed, be it on roads, drains, schools, streetlights or parks. Each MLA will plan such multiple sabhas and take feedback from residents. The party will ensure that each segment of society gets their voice heard and this does not become a populist move. Once details are in, MLAs will see how to implement it," said party sources.

MLAs will have less than six months to sanction projects since fresh elections in Delhi are likely to take place between September and November. Development work in had taken a back seat since November 2013 when the model code of conduct was implemented for assembly polls.