This Article is From Jan 31, 2014

One month of 'AAP ki sarkar': The report card

One month of 'AAP ki sarkar': The report card

Delhi's Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal addresses media at the venue of his sit-in protest in New Delhi on January 21, 2014.

New Delhi: Arvind Kejriwal's government completed one month in power in Delhi earlier this week. On Thursday, as Mr Kejriwal began reading out the report card of his government, he chose to highlight the constant media gaze he and his ministers have been under since they took oath at the Ramlila Maidan last month.

"Four states formed governments a month ago, but the media is only interested in our performance. That is good, please keep watching," Mr Kejriwal said.

Mr Kejriwal, while declaring his government's achievements, claimed his party has ended the VIP culture in the city, and has delivered on promises in the manifesto.

Along with providing 700 litres of free water, the AAP government has reduced electricity prices for those consuming upto 400 units, and Mr Kejriwal claims the prices could further be revised once the private electricity companies are audited.

However, critics say the AAP government's subsidy bonanza has brought at a huge cost to exchequer. Bringing more woes to India Inc has been AAP's decision to reverse the Sheila Dikshit government's decision to reverse the FDI policy.

Mr Kejriwal also listed setting up of 58 temporary shelters for the homeless, despite which reports indicate more than 100 deaths in the cold.

Helplines for corruption complaints and nursery admission were also set up by AAP; though the results of these are yet to be seen.

However, AAP is still in the process of drafting Lokayukta, their version of the anti-corruption bill, and the Swaraj Bill. The new government has also been criticised for failing to make Delhi more secure for women, especially after the gang-rape of a Danish national.
AAP's image has also been dented by Mr Kejriwal's unflinching support for his Law Minister Somnath Bharti, who led a midnight raid at a building in south Delhi, claiming it was being used as a brothel.

The first 30 days of the AAP government though will be remembered for the unprecedented 33-hour protest in the heart of Delhi, protesting against the Home Ministry and the Delhi Police. The 'dharna', days before the Republic Day, turned out to be nightmare for the Delhi  Police and the commuters at the high security zone of the capital. 
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