L-G lauds once contentious doorstep delivery of services
NEW DELHI: Delhi lieutenant-governor Anil Baijal on Friday lauded the government’s “Doorstep Delivery of Public Services” and said the move was aimed to extend the key services beyond counters at citizen’s residence. The scheme had earlier been a flashpoint in the face-off between the L-G and the AAP government.
In December last year, deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia had tweeted that Baijal had rejected the Aam Aadmi Party government’s proposal for the home delivery of services. The L-G office, however, stated that there were issues with the draft of the scheme. Baijal had finally approved the scheme on January 15, after the apparent delay had occupied headlines for weeks.
In his inaugural address at Delhi Assembly’s budget session on Friday, Baijal also listed the Delhi government’s achievements, particularly in education and health, and said that the government believed in “inclusive development” which brings vulnerable sections of society into the fold of development.
The L-G also mentioned key policies such as revised minimum wages for labourers and the government’s plans for developing the city’s infrastructure.
In his 25-minute speech, Baijal said that the gross state domestic product (GSDP) of Delhi at current prices registered a growth of 11.22%.
“GSDP of Delhi at current prices is estimated to be ₹6,86,017 crore in 2017-18, as compared to ₹6,16,826 crore in 2016-17. The per capita income of Delhi at current prices is likely to increase to ₹3,29,093 in 2017-18 while the same was ₹3,00,793 in 2016-17,” he said.
He said the city’s educational infrastructure has been strengthened by constructing about 6,400 additional classrooms in the existing schools. “CCTV cameras are already installed in most of the schools. It is proposed to strengthen CCTV surveillance system in all the schools including classrooms with the facility to parents to watch the feed from the schools,” Baijal said.
The L-G also mentioned the subsidy of 50% on energy charges for all domestic consumers consuming up to 400 units per month and free water supply of up to 20,000 litres for domestic house- holds.
He said that government hospitals have been authorised to refer patients to 48 empanelled private hospitals for 52 types of surgeries free of cost.
“All essential drugs are provided free of cost to the patient attending the public health facilities of government of Delhi. The radiological services are being provided free of cost to all residents of Delhi at 23 DGEHS empanelled radiological centres subject to referral from the public health facilities of Delhi government,” the L-G said.
Baijal said that the government intended to bring primary health facility at the doorstep of residents through ‘Aam Aadmi Mohalla Clinics’. Initially, 102 such clinics were started on pilot basis and during current financial year, 62 more such clinics were established.