Arvind Kejriwal govt completes one year in office, waives water bills

NEW DELHI: Carrying the burden of huge expectations, the Arvind Kejriwal government today announced waiving pending water bills till November last as it completed one year in office, a period marked by repeated run-ins with the Lt Governor and the Centre.

The Chief Minister and his entire cabinet held an over two hour-long public interaction to mark the milestone during which they presented the government's report card since storming to power with an overwhelming haul of 67 seats in the 70-member assembly.

"We completed one year today. Now the servants of the people are standing before their masters to provide explanations," Kejriwal said, adding his administration had not let a single penny of taxpayers' money go to "waste".

In his response to a question, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of trying to "shield" corrupt officials.

The AAP government has been locked in fierce confrontation with the Centre and Lt Governor Najeeb Jung ever since coming to power over a range of issues.

Its relationship with the BJP-ruled Centre deteriorated significantly following a CBI raid on Delhi Secretariat in connection with an alleged graft case against the Chief MInister's Principal Secretary Rajendra Kumar.

"Modi ji is fully trying to protect corrupt persons in Delhi. Delhi Assembly had passed Janlokpal Bill which has been sent to the Centre for its approval. Once it is approved by the Centre, Lokpal will nab these persons (corrupt)," said Sisodia.

Under the water bill waiver scheme announced by the Chief Minister, residents of posh localities will be given exemption of up to 25 per cent on their dues, while those in not so upscale areas will receive 50 per cent exemption. Residents of a majority of areas will get full waiver.

"People living in A and B category areas will be given exemption of up to 25 per cent, while those in C category will receive 50 per cent exemption.

"The D category area will be exempted 75 per cent and E,F,G and H category areas will be completely exempted from paying pending bills. Late Payment Surcharge (LPS) will be waived for all categories," said the Chief Minister.

The government also launched 20 polyclinics across the city as part of the celebrations.

Kejriwal and other ministers took phone calls from people and answered a variety of questions during the event at NDMC Convention Centre. The Chief Minister also announced a Rs 800 crore project to lay water pipelines in areas where piped water is currently not available.