Providing ₹2,500 Monthly to Women a Top Government Priority: Delhi L-G

Delhi Lieutenant Governor (L-G) V.K. Saxena on Tuesday released the 'Viksit Delhi' manifesto, vowing a corruption-free government and economic empowerment. The major point of his speech was the promise of giving ₹2,500 every month to women in Delhi.

L-G Saxena emphasized that the government would work under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas aur Sabka Samman." Speaking at the maiden session of the newly elected Delhi Assembly, he outlined the BJP-led government's priorities, including implementing the Ayushman Bharat health scheme, empowering women, cleaning the Yamuna, developing unauthorized colonies, and ensuring affordable meals for slum dwellers.

Denying the notion that poverty must be sustained as a status quo, Saxena promised policies would favor citizens of all economic classes. He emphasized a governance shift, moving away from opulent advertisements and toward concrete outcomes in economic development and employment creation.

"The humongous mandate that my government has received is a public stamp of approval of the policy transformation promised," Saxena stated, in the face of vociferous protests from Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) members, who were subsequently marshaled out by Speaker Vijender Gupta's instructions. During the course of the session, his speech was greeted with slogans of "Modi, Modi" and desk-thumping by BJP MLAs, especially when he spoke of job creation and Yamuna cleaning drives.

L-G Saxena outlined a 10-point agenda focusing on poverty alleviation, world-class healthcare, education, transportation, and clean drinking water. The government also plans to conduct a manpower audit to improve efficiency, implement PM Modi’s housing scheme for slum dwellers, and launch a solar power initiative. Additionally, Saxena reaffirmed commitments to providing subsidized LPG cylinders, financial aid for pregnant women, free OPD and diagnostic services, and increased pensions for the elderly and widows.

The government will have a 100-day action plan for all departments focusing on road, sewerage, water supply, and drainage system improvements. Saxena also revealed tabling of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report in the Assembly to correct administrative shortcomings by the former government.

To enhance revenue and economic development, the L-G emphasized a chain of development schemes and promised to transform Delhi into India's cleanest metro city. An attempt will be made to abolish landfill waste, converting them into green areas such as Bansera, constructed by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA).

L-G Saxena also criticized the earlier government for hindering constructive debates in the Assembly and abusing the platform for political tirades against constitutional powers.

After the L-G's address, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta introduced the CAG report, and lawmakers engaged in a 'Vote of Thanks' debate. Before that during the session, 12 AAP MLAs, including Leader of Opposition Atishi, were suspended for disrupting the House.

The three-day Delhi Assembly session began on Monday with the induction of newly elected MLAs and the election of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker. The session will end on Thursday.