India News

AAP completes 3 years: Corruption, pollution still a concern in Delhi

Published

9 years ago

February 14, 2018

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]A survey showed that only 38 percent of people in Delhi believe that the Kejriwal government has met or exceeded the expectations it had raised while voted to power.

With the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) – which came to power in 2015 with a huge fanfare and sky-high expectations – completing its third year of governance in Delhi on Wednesday, party supremo Arvind Kejriwal claimed that corruption in the national capital have come down as the people elected an “honest government”.

Sharing a video message on the third anniversary of his government, the Delhi Chief Minister said, “In the last three years there has been a drop in the corruption, because three years ago the people of Delhi elected an honest government.”

“We faced a number of hurdles but for your rights, we fought on every step and even God helped us. It is said when you follow the path of truth and honesty then all the visible and invisible forces of this universe help you. And my biggest strength is you and the blessings of God.”

However, despite the AAP convenor’s claims, a survey showed that only 38 percent of people in Delhi believe that the Kejriwal government has met or exceeded the expectations it had raised while it came to power with 67 among 70 seats in the 2015 Delhi Assembly elections.

While many credited the AAP government for improving healthcare, water supply and education system in the national capital, many others stated that pollution and corruption still remains an area of problem, even after three years of Kejriwal’s regime.

The online survey conducted by citizen engagement platform LocalCircles also showed that compared to last year’s 61 percent only 59 percent people in Delhi still believes that the AAP has succeeded in curbing corruption.

Meanwhile, while the AAP members celebrate their third anniversary of governance, former Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit and Delhi Congress chief Ajay Maken on Wednesday released a ‘charge sheet’ on the government’s three years of rule at the DPCC office.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Pointing out areas of concern – including women safety, new fleet of Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses, free wifi, marshals and CCTVs in DTC buses and education – the senior Congress leaders claimed that the Kejriwal government had not fulfilled any of the promises it made while being voted to power.

Stating that people should be wary of the AAP government, Sheila Dikshit said, “I do not want to say much but people know AAP government is an advertisement government. They are seen talking but their works are invisible.”

Speaking on AAP government’s media coverage, the former Delhi CM said, “They find ways to be in newspapers. I fail to understand why they are given so much coverage.”

The Aam Aadmi Party came to power in 2015, rewriting electoral history by winning 67 of the 70 assembly seats, with the slogan ‘paanch saal Kejriwal’. However, after the completion of its three years in the government, the new slogan of the party changed to ‘everything is possible’.

A report card on AAP government’s ‘Performance vs promises’ was prepared by Hindustan Times:

Power subsidy 50% subsidy on electricity bills continues, no major hike in power tariff

Free water Free 20 kilolitre water scheme continues

Education Over 8,000 classrooms, including refurbished ones, built. Teachers get specialised training, private schools not allowed to hike fee, Rs 10 lakh loan for higher education

Mohalla clinics Of 180 clinics, 160 providing free healthcare. Sites identified for 668 more. Total target is 1,000

Minimum wages Minimum wages of unskilled workers have been increased from Rs 9,724 to Rs 13,350 per month, for semi-skilled workers from Rs 10,764 to Rs 14,698 and for skilled labourers from Rs 11,830 to Rs 16,182

Pension hiked Disability pension, old age pension and widow pension have been increased by Rs 1,000 each

Compensation scheme Rs 1 crore compensation for the family of security personnel in case of their on-duty death

Development in illegal colonies Laying drains, sewer lines and water pipelines underway. Government claims all colonies to be covered by December

Ease of documents 200 categories of affidavits sought by various departments, local bodies and other organisations junked. Only self-certification is required now

Lowest VAT regime VAT rates reduced in several categories from 12.5% to 5%. However, in July last year, the GST was implemented in Delhi

Swaraj bill The government called it the Mohalla Sabha Bill. The L-G did not approve the proposal

Jan Lokpal Bill The Delhi Assembly passed the Bill in 2015 but it is pending Centre’s approval

Yamuna’s revival Promise to develop a 5-km riverfront on Yamuna not fulfilled. Former water minister Kapil Mishra had announced to make Yamuna fit for bathing in 36 months. There is no concrete plan yet

Free Wi-Fi Project yet to take off, no tender issued yet

Aaam Aadmi Canteen Plan to open 100 canteens, offering low-cost food. One canteen was opened in LNJP Hospital on pilot basis, but it was shut down after two months

New Degree Colleges Plan to open 20 new degree colleges was junked since affiliated colleges can be opened only with Delhi University.

Public Transport No new DTC buses have been. But, 2,000 buses are likely to be rolled out by end of this year. Last-mile connectivity also remains poor

Regularisation of illegal colonies Government has begun the survey to identify such colonies now

2 lakh public toilets The government has only built 21,000 community toilets out of the 1.5 lakh target

Roads and infrastructure The Rs 5,000-crore-plan to redesign 10 roads to decongest them is stuck in bureaucratic hurdles. The plan to build an east-west elevated corridor (Anand Vihar terminal to Peeragarhi) and north-south corridor (Wazirabad to Airport) yet to see light of the day

Schemes and projects that the AAP government plans to bring in over the next two years:

Doorstep delivery of services: Birth, death, income, caste certificates, driving licence and ration to car holders to be delivered at doorstep

Health card: A smart card with ID details and medical history of the patient. But tender has no mention of medical history

24X7 surveillance: 1.4 lakh CCTV cameras to be installed in all residential areas and markets by October. Plans afoot to put cameras in buses and schools

Electric buses: 1,000 AC electric buses will be rolled out over the two years

Decentralised STPs: 600 locations have been identified to set up small scale sewage treatment plants in unauthorised colonies

Skill centres and anganwadis: 25 skill centres across Delhi to be opened in the next two years. One such centre has been approved at Jonapur. Anganwadis will also be revamped

Landscaping roads: 500 kms of PWD roads will be beautified with plants, shrubs and artworks[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

India News

India Metro Rail Network May Overtake US in 2 Years

India’s metro rail network has reached 1,170 km across 26 cities. Union minister Manohar Lal said the country could overtake the US in network length within two years.

Published

12 hours ago

September 5, 2026

APNLive Desk

India is on track to become the country with the second-largest metro rail network in the world after China, with Union Minister Manohar Lal saying the country could overtake the United States within the next two years.

India’s metro rail network has now expanded to 1,170 km across 26 cities. The network is only 216 km shorter than the US metro rail network, which stands at 1,386 km, according to figures cited by the minister.

India’s metro network expands rapidly

Speaking after the inauguration of an extended metro service in Indore, Manohar Lal highlighted the pace at which metro connectivity has grown in India.

He said metro services were operational across just 245 km in five cities when Prime Minister Narendra Modi assumed office in 2014. The network has since expanded to 1,170 km across 26 cities.

The minister said India could overtake the US in terms of metro rail network length in the next two years and become the world’s second-largest country in this segment after China.

China currently has around 8,000 km of metro rail lines, according to the figures cited by the minister.

Indore metro extension inaugurated

The minister made the remarks after inaugurating an extended section of the Indore metro. The project was built at a cost of around Rs 2,850 crore.

The Indore metro was earlier operating commercially on a six-km stretch between Gandhi Nagar and Super Corridor-3 stations. Following the extension, the service will operate on a 17-km route between Gandhi Nagar and Malviya Nagar Chauraha.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said the metro service would mark a new phase in Indore’s development. He also said the network would eventually be extended to Ujjain and other nearby areas.

India’s metro rail network: Key figures

India currently has 1,170 km of operational metro rail network.
Metro services are operational across 26 cities.
The US has around 1,386 km of metro rail network.
India is currently 216 km behind the US.
China has around 8,000 km of metro rail lines.
India’s operational network stood at 245 km across five cities in 2014.

India News

PM Modi returns to SRCC after 13 years, revisits 2013 glass full speech

PM Narendra Modi returned to SRCC after 13 years for its centenary celebrations, revisiting themes from his landmark 2013 address.

Published

13 hours ago

September 5, 2026

APNLive Desk

Prime Minister Narendra Modi returned to Delhi University’s Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC) on Saturday, 13 years after his previous visit to the institution as Gujarat chief minister.

His latest visit came as SRCC marked its centenary celebrations. Modi’s 2013 address at the college had attracted significant attention as he spoke about India’s youth, governance and the country’s demographic potential.

In 2013, Modi was Gujarat chief minister and had not yet been named the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate. He returned to the same campus this year as Prime Minister, having completed 12 years as Prime Minister and serving his third consecutive term.

What PM Modi said at SRCC in 2013

The 2013 lecture was titled Emerging Business Models in the Global Scenario. The address also covered governance and India’s young population.

He described India’s youth as a source of national strength rather than simply a group of new-age voters. He also highlighted India’s demographic advantage and argued that the country needed to make better use of its young population.

One of the notable moments from the speech involved a glass of water. Modi contrasted the conventional descriptions of a glass as half full or half empty and said he viewed it as full, with half containing water and the other half air.

The speech also included his remarks on technology and young Indians. Referring to an anecdote from a visit to Taiwan, Modi used the phrase “mouse-charmers” to describe Indians using computers and suggested that young Indians had the ability to influence the world through technology.

‘Minimum government, maximum governance’

Modi’s 2013 address also touched on governance. He spoke about the role of government and the need for better governance.

He also spoke about India’s potential in the 21st century.

Modi returns as PM for SRCC centenary

The September 5 visit coincided with Teachers’ Day and SRCC’s 100th anniversary. The Prime Minister’s Office had announced that Modi would participate in the college’s centenary celebrations and address the gathering. SRCC was established in 1926 by industrialist and philanthropist Sir Shri Ram.

Earlier this year, Modi also met the SRCC governing body at his residence in April in connection with the college’s centenary celebrations and released a commemorative postage stamp marking the occasion.

The return to SRCC came 13 years after his 2013 appearance at the college, when he addressed students as Gujarat chief minister.

India News

Supreme Court judge calls police assault on CJP protesters very distressing

Supreme Court judge Justice Ujjal Bhuyan criticised alleged police assaults on CJP protesters and raised concerns over excessive force.

Published

22 hours ago

September 5, 2026

APNLive Desk

Supreme Court judge Justice Ujjal Bhuyan has criticised the assault of protesters by police personnel during the recent CJP demonstrations in Delhi, describing the conduct as “very, very distressing” and a matter of serious concern.

Speaking at the launch of retired IPS officer Yashovardhan Azad’s book Policing the Republic, Justice Bhuyan said the detachment expected from police officers appeared to be diminishing.

He expressed concern over young Indian Police Service officers personally participating in the assault of protesters and demonstrators.

Justice Bhuyan stresses need for responsible policing

Justice Bhuyan said effective policing does not require excessive use of force or infringement of human rights. He emphasised that the police play an important role in maintaining public confidence because citizens generally approach the police when they feel they have been wronged.

He said maintaining the credibility of the police force was therefore of “utmost importance”.

The judge’s remarks come amid continuing scrutiny of the police and paramilitary response to the CJP protests in Delhi.

Supreme Court panel to examine police action

The Supreme Court has constituted a high-level panel to investigate allegations concerning the use of force by Delhi Police during the July 20 student protests at Jantar Mantar and the subsequent Parliament march.

The panel, headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice R Subhash Reddy, will examine complaints relating to lathi charges, tear gas, pellet guns and electronic batons. It will also look into allegations of targeted harassment or molestation of female protesters and review available CCTV and video footage.

The police response during the protests has faced criticism, while Delhi Police has maintained that its personnel were also attacked during the clashes.

Judge raises concern over custodial deaths and torture

Justice Bhuyan also spoke about custodial torture and deaths, describing custodial death as one of the gravest crimes in a society governed by the rule of law.

He stressed that torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment cannot be accepted, regardless of whether such conduct takes place during investigation, interrogation or other circumstances.

The judge further warned that when government functionaries themselves become lawbreakers, it can undermine respect for the law and encourage lawlessness.

He questioned whether citizens lose their fundamental rights simply because they have been arrested by police.

‘Fake encounters’ cannot be part of policing

Justice Bhuyan also addressed allegations of extra-judicial killings, commonly referred to as “fake encounters”. Referring to a 2011 Supreme Court judgment, he said such encounters undermine the rule of law.

He stressed that an “encounter philosophy” cannot become part of legitimate policing and said proven fake encounters involving serving police officers must be treated with the utmost seriousness.

The Supreme Court’s panel will now examine the allegations surrounding the police action during the July 20 protests as scrutiny of the events continues.