Kejri sets up panel for fulfilling poll promises

Delhi Dialogue Commission has nine members

The Arvind Kejriwal government on Friday set up a nine-member Delhi Dialogue Commission, headed by the Chief Minister, for implementing its 70-point manifesto that talked of clean Yamuna, free Wi-Fi and women safety, among other things.

The government also invited suggestions from public on email [e-mail] for helping the new commission that will be based in the Delhi Secretariat. 

The Delhi Dialogue Commission will constitute task groups on various subjects and the experts in the panel will provide advice on the ways in which the vision of the AAP government can be realised.

Some of the task forces that will be set up soon include those on rejuvenating and reviving the Yamuna and water bodies, women’s safety and empowerment, e-governance, CCTV and Wi-Fi, waste management and sanitation, affordable and clean energy, promotion of entrepreneurship and creating employment and improvement of education standards.

Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and AAP leader Ashish Khaitan, who will be the vice chairman of the commission, told reporters that the first meeting of the commission is scheduled for Monday.

Sisodia said: “Before the elections we talked to women and youth about their problems and incorporated their suggestions in our manifesto. The DDC will take up the major issues forward.”

Apart from  Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Ashish Khaitan, other members of the commission will be Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, the chief secretary, finance secretary, secretary to the chief minister and a member secretary.

There will also be two nominated members. AAP sources said Ashutosh, who contested the Lok Sabha election from Chandni Chowk, and Dwarka legislator Adarsh Shastri may be made members of the commission. 

‘Involving experts’
“We will take the experts’ advice and involve NGOs. We also appeal to the people to come up with the suggestions for the commission,”  Khaitan said.

Khaitan earlier played a lead role in organising the Delhi Dialogue conclaves in the run-up to the election and invited on how to “transform Delhi into a world-class city”.

He said the commission will be a legally notified body.
Sources in the AAP said the commission would not function as a parallel cabinet but play an advisory role and assist the government in delivering on its promise.

Despite being the Chief Minister, Kejriwal has not taken up any portfolio and government sources said he may work towards strengthening of the commission for delivery of poll promises.

As observed in Delhi in the past two decades, the vested interests of successive governments and their remoteness from their constituents ensured that the most fundamental needs of the people have remained unaddressed – from issues such as clean drinking water, electricity and affordable housing to sanitation and employment, among others, said a statement issued by the Aam Aadmi Party  government.

Through the Delhi Dialogue Commission, the Aam Aadmi Party government will tap into people’s everyday experiences and their professional knowledge to draw up policy-level interventions in order to deliver on the 70 point manifesto, it said.