Aam Aadmi Party Tamil Nadu: Lok Sabha Election Manifesto, 2014 (To be read along with the

AAP National Manifesto)

TABLE OF CONTENTS I. INTRODUCTION & PREAMBLE II. WOMEN & CHILDREN WELFARE III. BASIC INFRASTRUCTURE: Water, Health, Food & Agriculture, and Electricity IV. MICRO, SMALL & MEDIUM ENTERPRISES, HIGHER EDUCATION & EMPLOYMENT V. TAMILNADU-SPECIFIC ISSUES: Cauvery, Mullaiperiyar, TASMAC, Coal Bed Methane, GAIL, Neutrino, Fishermen issue with Sri Lanka, Relationship with Sri Lanka, Kudangulam VI. ENVIRONMENT & CITY/ TOWN GOVERNANCE VII. PROTECTION OF VULNERABLE SECTIONS: Differently-Abled; Transgender Persons VIII. PUBLIC PROTECTION: Judiciary & Police Reforms I. INTRODUCTION & PREAMBLE Basic Premise of the Document Any vision and plan of the future has to be rooted in the current reality. Policies and processes have to be identified to bridge the gap between the current reality and the future vision. It is, therefore, essential to have an understanding of the broad issues as it exists today, which would indicate the directions for improvement in future. This document is prepared after a reality check on issues as it appears on the ground today. In preparing this document, experts were consulted and the views and experiences of common people from all over the State were incorporated. Corruption turned out to be the dominant and most pervasive issue affecting every section of the population in Tamil Nadu. According to Transparency International, Tamil Nadu is one of the highly corrupt states and, according to the National Crimes Records Bureau, Tamil Nadu is the corruption capital of India with 790 government officers booked on corruption charges in 2009. Tamil Nadu is documented as being extensively corrupt whether in the Panchayat, Taluk and Corporation offices; the police department; or granite, sand and beach minerals mining. AAPs prime promise is to root out corruption, in any form, from the State. Following corruption, the issues that emerged important varied across sectors, areas and community/ groups. The most common among them were: Water (drinking and for other uses), Employment, Price Rise, and Women Safety. AAP is committed to firmly address these four issues, which are reflected in all the sections of this document. The three fundamental changes that are central to all that we plan to do are: 1. Swaraj, or self-rule, is the core principle underlying this document. Whether it is weeding out corruption, removing the gnawing gap between the rich and the poor, or infusing efficiency into the system, a clear direction to move towards is for the people to plan, implement and monitor all aspects of life affecting them in their small areas. This is done through a decentralized structure with Gram Sabha (village council) and Mohalla Sabha (community council) at the center. This would also provide greater autonomy for the State Governments. Apart from the many other positive changes that would emanate from this move, this will surely increase efficiency, and lead to better allocation of resources and good governance. 2. Legal Reforms: Reviewing the archaic laws made by the British that perpetrates corruption; and simplifying complex laws that are amenable to interpretation, misuse and corruption. Among the other benefits from this move, this will substantially reduce corruption. 3. The last man first principle: All the planning, implementation and funds allocation that needs to be done by the Government has to be done with a people centric approach, focusing on the last man first principle. This will substantially reduce the high and increasing social and economic inequality in India, and have a significant impact on poverty alleviation. In this, AAP is guided by the Talisman, which Mahatma Gandhi prescribed in August 1947 for the leaders of independent India: Whenever you are in doubt, or when the self becomes too much with you, apply the following test. Recall the face of the poorest and the weakest man whom you may have seen, and ask yourself if the step you contemplate is going to be of any use to him. Will he gain anything by it? Will it restore him to a control over his own life and destiny? In other words, will it lead to swaraj for the hungry and spiritually starving millions? Then you will find your doubts and yourself melting away.

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II. WOMEN & CHILDREN 1. Women Welfare Policy Objectives: Providing women with a safe and equitable environment Campaign Promises: Top priority to be given for safety of women in public places FIR for crimes against women to be filed, and case to be resolved in the quickest possible time, say two months Child marriage to be stopped with immediate punitive action against the perpetrators Policies for social protection for children of migrant women to be established Vishaka guidelines to be strictly implemented against sexual harassment in workplace More women hostels, crches and child-care centres Counseling and guidance programme for adolescent girls to be initiated State Womens Commissions to be proactive Compulsory checking of women for anemia and provision of iron supplements in PHCs Empower and reserve 33% seats for women in the Legislative Assembly and the Parliament

2. Children Welfare Policy Objectives: Providing children with basic rights promised in the Constitution; and a safe environment to grow into an adult in a healthy manner Campaign Promises: Implement the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act strictly; ensure every child of school-going age is in school Implement strictly the Pre Natal Diagnostics Act to end sex selective abortion focus on districts with particularly low child sex ratio Strictly implement the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986; stringent action against employers of children as casual and bonded labour. Focus on specific industries known to employ children - match, fireworks, brick kilns, handlooms and agriculture Strictly implement the minimum age at marriage (18 years for girls) Ensure every school has a separate toilet for girl children. Take adequate protection to eliminate child sexual abuse through education and awareness generation - and take stringent action against child sexual abuse offenders Ensure adequate iron and folic acid for pregnant and lactating mothers at PHCs School Education Education to be the primary responsibility of the state Improve quality of education in government schools; and quality of regular teachers and para-teachers through regular annual training particularly important since even Class V students in government schools can barely read or write Gram Panchayats to be fully empowered to appoint teachers, monitor quality of education and run government schools; ensure schools have adequate teachers, who are regular Ensure basic infrastructure as per the norms set in all government schools Improve quality of teaching by regularly training and evaluating teachers Focus on learning outcomes rather than just inputs to improve quality of education All certificates, including caste certificate, to be issued by the Gram Sabha secretariat Fill all teacher vacancy in government schools Separate toilets for boys and girls to be constructed in very school Vocational and skills training to be emphasized and given equal importance in curriculum Career guidance to be included in schools, early on Increase awareness of sanitation and hygiene in all schools; include it in curriculum Private schools to be inspected regularly for quality of education and infrastructure; make fees transparent III. BASIC INFRASTRUCTURE 3. Water Policy Objectives: Access to clean drinking water for all; and adequate water for all uses Campaign Promises: Mandatory rain water harvesting

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Adoption of micro-irrigation techniques Separate regulatory body to manage groundwater, and track bulk users systematically Treatment of 100% Industrial Waste Water and Domestic Sewage Community based Watershed Management involving Gram Sabhas Gram Sabha driven establishment of public-private drinking water filtration plants Gram Sabha driven provision of cheap clean drinking water (Any Time Water, estimated to cost 10 paise per litre) across the State free to poor households with children below 6 years, which will bring down significantly diarrheal and other water borne diseases Community-led total sanitation programmes; 100% use of toilet for defecation Micro-Credit system to encourage women/families to opt for private sanitation 4. Health Policy Objectives: Access to affordable and quality healthcare for all Campaign Promises All government hospitals, including PHCs, to be adequately funded, well stocked with medicines and basic infrastructure, modernized, strictly monitored, and made more effective by ensuring that a doctor and a nurse/ para medical staff is present in every facility Electronic health records will be a thrust area; complete and accurate medical records of a patient to be made available at the source of treatment and care Every Government hospital/PHC to have facility to provide geriatric and mental healthcare Hygiene kits to be distributed to people below the poverty line; educate and sensitize people on sanitation and hygiene Enterprises to be urged to provide jobs to differently-abled and cognitively challenged (evolve standard tests to ascertain capability) within their CSR commitments

5. Food & Agriculture Policy Objectives Sustainable and Equitable Agriculture Campaign Promises: Price Realization Ensure cost plus 50% price margins MS Swaminathan Committee recommendation Special focus for community owned storage spaces and cold storages Minimum wages for agricultural labourers Rejuvenation of Dry land Agriculture Special emphasis for procuring and marketing millets and pulses Special focus on infrastructure at the block level for processing of these crops locally Nutritious, safe and affordable food Pesticide testing laboratories to inform consumers regularly on levels in food consumed Major push for non-pesticidal management techniques Major emphasis on organic farming Marketing of Produce Agricultural markets for small producers with deep linkages, including transport infrastructure, storage and warehousing, and cold chains 6. Electricity Policy Objectives: Affordable, continuous and adequate access to power for all categories of users domestic, agriculture, commercial and industrial Campaign Promises: Planning Ensure scientific estimation and long-term planning of demand & supply across different user categories; any plan to start from demand as basis, rather than generation (or supply) Power Generation Focus on sources of renewal and clean energy generation; special focus on solar energy Bring transparency in the whole ecosystem - from procurement of raw material to procurement of electricity from private vendors Unbiased auditing/ energy accounting of power generation firms through authorized third party auditing Transmission: Build corridors to connect national grid to regional grid.

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Reduce transmission losses by improving infrastructure, setting up high and extra high voltage lines Distribution & Service Delivery Channel: Define service levels and system for monitoring; strong grievances redressal system Energy accounting through efficient metering system and installation of meters at all points; separate feeder for industry and agriculture customers Strict action against theft and vandalism IV. MSMEs, HIGHER EDUCATION & EMPLOYMENT 7. Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises Policy Objectives: Create an environment to encourage and sustain entrepreneurship Campaign Promises Strengthen Credit Guarantee Scheme with enhanced budgetary support Minimize regulations and simplify procedures to set up and run enterprises Train and mentor MSMEs to become competitive Create environment for technology absorption and employment generation in SMEs Put in place a cluster centric approach for MSNEs Review government schemes for MSMEs, and the role of line agencies 8. Higher Education Policy Objectives: To provide high quality education to all; equip youth to become employable; increase employment opportunities Campaign Promises: Higher Education Higher education to be the primary responsibility of the State; increase the number of government colleges, including professional colleges, and significantly increase their quality Make student intake and fees transparent in private higher education institutions; set minimum standards for infrastructure and teaching staff; and make institutions accountable Improve the quality of teaching and of students graduating from both private and government institutions; certify students by a professional body after they complete their course 9. Skills Development & Employment Generation Employment Generation Identify potential areas and sectors for employment generation; put in place required infrastructure (student training or aiding enterprises in technology upgradation) to access it Make all graduates employable start finishing schools across the State Increase employment opportunities for graduates for example, incentivize private sector Mitigate the increasing skill gap in employment, particularly at lower skill levels set up skills enhancing centres across the State Make hiring process in all government offices transparent V. TAMILNADU-SPECIFIC ISSUES 10. Cauvery

AAPTN Position: AAP stands by the award of the tribunal and demands immediate formation of the Cauvery Management Board and the Cauvery Regulation Committee. The main issues of water sharing have arisen in years of monsoon failure. The tribunal has clearly spelt out that water should be reduced proportionately during distress years. Efforts should be made by Cauvery Management Board to make sure that State Governments agree to this basic principle. In situations when any State is not complying with the Tribunal order, the Cauvery Management Board should swiftly act and take control over dams during that particular season to release water according to the order. Concerted efforts made to bring farmers from the 2 States together and make them see the need for proportionate sharing during times of distress probably the only long-term solution. Special fund to improve irrigation efficiency of Cauvery canals through desilting and cleaning; avoiding wastage into the sea through building water tanks; and avoid land to land irrigation through construction of canals. This needs to be done taking both the States into confidence.

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11. Mullaiperiyar Dam AAPTN Position: Going by the expert committee report on the dams safety, its height needs to be increased to 142 feet. Views of the affected population in both states should be taken into consideration. 12. TASMAC (Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation) AAPTN Position: Gram Sabhas should be empowered with taking the decision on whether a TASMAC shop can exist in their locality or not. All liquor shops within 100 m of school, colleges, hospitals and places of worship should be immediately closed. Children under 21 should not be sold alcohol. A mandatory showing of ID cards for everyone should be introduced. Bars attached to TASMAC shops should be closed down as it leads to people sitting in bars long hours and spending all the hard earned money. Also, this leads to drunken driving and increase in accident rates. Timings of shops should be shortened. The suggested time is 6 pm to 9 pm. TASMAC shops need to be closed on a day every week (dry day; preferably on Saturdays when most casual workers get their weekly wages). This would enable the salary of men reaching the family in full. Every Government Hospital at the district level needs to have a de-addiction section separately. At least one de-addiction center needs to be opened at the block level in a phased manner with trained councilors. Close down TASMAC shops in a phased manner. The revenue loss will be more or less compensated by increase in workdays; rise in productivity; fall in healthcare expenses; decrease in domestic and other forms of gender violence; and rise in income that can be used for household expenses. Need to publish data the name of the companies and quantity supplied by distilleries to TASMAC - each year. 13. Coal Bed Methane Project (CBM) AAPTN Position: Aam Aadmi Party believes strongly in decentralization and any development project cannot come about without the acceptance of those who are affected by it. In Peoples hearing in 2012, farmers opposed the project on four grounds - Food security, land degradation, environmental issues and heavy job losses. AAP stands by the concerns of the common man. AAP opposes setting up of the CBM project given serious livelihood and environmental concerns that would affect thousands of farmers and the food security of Tamil Nadu significantly. 14. GAIL Pipeline Project AAPTN Position: The Tamil Nadu Government and GAIL should constitute a committee with farmer representative, agriculture expert and energy experts to Report on the technical feasibility of laying pipelines along highways by an independent committee Engage with farmer organizations and obtain accurate estimates for one-time and annual losses in case the pipelines are laid through the fields Prepare a compensation package that is fair to the farmers and agreed upon by village-level farmer committees in-case farmlands need to be acquired The Committee should present its recommendations within four months of formation. In the adverse situation that pipelines cannot be laid along highways and GAIL and the farmers are not in agreement on a compensation package, the pipeline project should be abandoned 15. The Neutrino Project AAPTN Position: A proper scientific impact assessment of the project should be done The 'geotechnical' study report should be made public

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The local people, who may be affected by the project, should be consulted and their consensus obtained before implementing the project Any such project that may have far reaching and irreversible consequences on the environment should be put to a more scientific scrutiny and public debate before its start 16. Fishermen Issue with Sri Lanka Policy Objectives: To solve the fishermen issue through the process of dialogue and ensure that Indian fishermen are provided protection AAPTN Position: The right to life of fishermen will be respected To avoid shooting incidents due to mistaken identity, coordinated patrolling between marine forces (Sri Lankan Navy and Indian Coast Guards) of both countries will be considered Pressure Sri Lanka to release the fishermen caught and lodged in Sri Lankan jail and give back the boats that has been seized from Indian fishermen who had crossed the border; establish rights of Indian fishermen and demarcate areas for them to fish Develop fish farming extensively in Indian waters; and reinvent sustainable fisheries To preserve marine resources and to provide sustenance to traditional marginal fishermen of both countries, reserve certain areas for traditional fishermen and ban certain types of nets As an additional safety measure, the Indian Navy's proposal of fitting Global Positioning System (GPS) in every Indian fishing boat should be implemented as GPS provides the fastest and most accurate method for fishermen to navigate, measure speed and determine locations Arrange and facilitate frequent meetings between fishing communities of both countries to develop a friendlier atmosphere at mid-seas during fishing. Solution from below has greater chances of success All legal and diplomatic options to be explored to ensure that Indian fisherman have fishing rights in the Kachatheevu waters Review the IPC that a person will be construed as dead only after 7 years of him going missing Fishing, like agriculture and dairy, needs a separate department 17. Relationship with Sri Lanka Policy Objectives: To invest in long-term relationship building measures with the neighbouring countries AAPTN Position: We will Look for solutions based on civil rights and humanitarian considerations Human Rights violations and war crimes resulting from the recent civil war in Sri Lanka will be investigated by the UNHRC (or such International body) Urge Sri Lankan Government to implement the 13th amendment that provides for devolution of power Urge the Central Government to give citizenship status to Sri Lankan refugees (or any other) living in India beyond a certain specified duration or arrange for safe transport to their country of citizenship. We should not prolong their stay and agony Insist that any bilateral agreement with neighboring countries be overseen by a committee with adequate representation from those states sharing land or maritime border with that country 18. Kudangulam Nuclear Power Plant AAPTN Position: Maximize production of alternative energies, which the governments in the past have failed Government did not get consensus of people in the area and there are serious lapses in safety measures. These shortcomings should be addressed immediately Costs of de-functioning a nuclear plant are more than building one. So, there needs to be a serious relook at safety measures of the project before commissioning and consensus of local people should be got for the project AAP favours a comprehensive, thorough and transparent national debate on nuclear energy and its necessity

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VI. ENVIRONMENT & CITY/ TOWN GOVERNANCE 19. Environment Policy objectives: Cleaning up the environment by implementing strictly the existing laws Campaign Promises: Industrial Pollution Create mechanisms to ensure sites chosen for location of polluting industries are appropriate on various environmental criteria Make TNPCB transparent; Put in place system of incentives/disincentives for regulatory officials; and empower members of public Identify and clean up all contaminated sites in line with policy (to be developed) based on the principles of polluter pays, public participation and science-based remediation process. Provide alternative water at the cost of the polluter, and compensation for damages. Acquisition of agricultural land for industrialisation and urban development to be reviewed Other Sources of Environmental Degradation and Pollution Address on war footing unregulated quarrying; rapid decrease in forest cover; depletion of all natural resources, loss of biodiversity; loss of resilience in ecosystem; rampant burning of fuelwood and biomass, such as dried waste from livestock, as the primary source of energy; lack of organised garbage and waste removal services; lack of sewage treatment operations; lack of flood control and monsoon water drainage system; diversion of consumer waste into rivers; cremation practices near major rivers; government mandated protection of highly polluting old public transport; and continued operation by the Indian government of government-owned, high emission plants (mainly power) built between 1950 to 1980. Review all governing laws and implement them strictly; whereever necessary look for alternate ways; review and refurbish old plants to make them less polluting; create large-scale public awareness about what causes pollution, how it impacts people and how it can be mitigated. 20. City/Town Governance Campaign Promises Inclusive City Disclosure of information should go beyond RTIs The city/town budget to be made transparent; budget-making process to include citizens Public meetings with Councillors for citizens to voice grievances and discuss issues Ward committees to ensure accountability and effective service delivery from Urban Local Body or private service provider A decentralized committee at each ward made up of citizen groups and the Councillor to conduct monthly audits of all infrastructure and services Parastatal agencies, such as Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board and Tamil Nadu Electricity Board, directly accountable to Corporation of Chennai rather than to the state government. The municipal government should have authority to demand accountability from agencies that are responsible for services delivered within its jurisdiction Slums and Informal Settlements All slums and informal settlements to be regularly recognised (every 3 years) to enable better access to basic services and to allow households protection from evictions, and residents provided patta; to be done alongside long-term planning for their housing needs De-link access to services and finance, from tenure and land status Stop the policy of slum relocation into high-rise and/or distant resettlement colonies All interventions into slums and informal settlements need to be monitored on the criteria of improvements in access to services (water, sanitation, education, health), as well as on access to livelihoods, rather than number of houses built and amount of money spent Solid Waste Management Decentralize SWM The informal sector, consisting of waste-pickers, itinerant buyers (kabariwals) and scrap shops are directly dependent on waste for livelihood and contribute positively to the city in

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terms of recycling and resource recovery. Including, accommodating and safeguarding their livelihood to be a primary concern in designing any SWM system SWM workers form one of the largest workforces in city administration. They are largely engaged on short/ medium term contracts and treated badly, especially in cities where SWM is partially or fully privatized. Review & correct them through legal and administrative initiative; manual scavenging to be completely stopped In Waste Management, greater emphasis to be placed on mandatory localized sorting of trash into plastic/glass/paper/metal/organic trash, after adequately preparing local communities, and educating the formal/informal SWM workers Sanitation Norms for public toilets range from between 25 people per toilet seat for community toilets to 200 people per toilet seat for toilets that cater to floating population. The number of public toilets constructed should at least match government norms Toilets are usually located where land is easily or cheaply available. Need to locate public toilets where they are most needed - near slums and informal settlements Toilets often fall into disuse because they lack basic infrastructure and services. For toilet to be functional it must have adequate supply of water and electricity at all times. The local government must consult with civil society organisations and citizen groups to formulate maintenance standards and audit them regularly. Toilets to be fitted with essential fixtures like washbasins and taps Toilets in slums to be managed by the core user group the community Toilets must be easily accessible by all residents. They must be disabled friendly, and must have special fittings that make them accessible by children Water Water connections must be provided to all residents, including those in slums who may not have legal right to land. In the interim, water must be supplied to all residents, whether they have connections or not, through lorry supply or hand pumps Water supplied must be fit for consumption and tested for impurities regularly The amount of water supplied must be in accordance with government norms Sustainable Transportation (Pedestrian Infrastructure) Pedestrians to be prioritised in all plans transportation as well as development All transportation projects to be made transparent right from the time the idea germinates reaching out to all stakeholders; presenting the problem, solution, & pros and cons of solution Transportation project can proceed only with the involvement of all concerned departments storm water drainage, electricity, phone, traffic police, pollution control, etc. It will be ensured that old vehicles that cause pollution would be monitored strictly; fined or banned if it exceeds specified norms Wards must look at ward-level transportation plans for the last mile connectivity, parking infrastructure, and pedestrian infrastructure 21. Auto Rickshaw - Passenger and Driver Welfare Policy Objectives: Ensure the protection of passengers and provide auto rickshaw drivers with better working conditions Campaign Promises End harassment of auto drivers by police. Educate auto drivers on traffic rules, and ensure they are strictly followed. Create awareness among auto drivers on pollution and ways of protecting themselves. Initiate a low-cost group health insurance scheme for auto drivers. Scientifically calculate average cost per km and accordingly fix rates, with adequate margin provisions; and review it with every hike in diesel price. Ensure meters to be fixed in all autos and regularly monitor its working and accuracy. Establish rules for protection of passengers. Initiate helpline for auto rickshaw passengers. Establish standard rate cards for various destinations from prominent mass public places, such as major bus terminus, railway stations, and airports. VII. Welfare of Vulnerable SECTIONS 22. Reservation Policy

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Tamil Nadu has 69% reservation for MBCs, BCs, DCs and SC & ST, the highest in the country Campaign Promises: Implementing existing provisions of reservations in higher education and public sector jobs. Recognising exceptionally disadvantaged SC, most vulnerable ST, and most backward OBCs, to provide them with minimum assured benefits. Evolving a comprehensive disadvantage index with caste, gender, rural-urban location, economic, social and education, and using it to derive deprivation score. Children of parents who have availed the benefits of reservation to be placed at the end of the reservation queue. 23. Right of Persons with Disability Policy Objectives: Upholding the rights of persons with disability; and ensuring equality and non-discrimination Campaign Promises: Extend the Right to Equality and Non Discrimination to all persons, regardless of disability, through suitable amendments to Part III of the Indian Constitution. Recognize that that all persons with disabilities are capable of taking up employment, and that this must be facilitated by provision of skill training in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). Enforce the right of persons with disabilities to access all public spaces, (including those under the Public Buildings Act). 24. Rights of Transgender Persons Policy Objectives: Upholding the rights of transgender persons; working towards abolishing all forms of discrimination against them; and making them self-sufficient Campaign Promises All measures will be taken to ensure that transgenders are not discriminated against awareness generation among the public; police education; strict implementation of all laws governing their protection; and appropriate policies to ensure the abolishment of any form of discrimination against them. VIII. PUBLIC PROTECTION 25. Judiciary and Police Reforms Police Reforms: The current Police Act is evolved from the British Raj days (Police Act, 1861), which was motivated to cripple freedom struggle. As a result, constitutional guarantees of individual human rights are in question, almost everyday. Policy Objectives: Increase accountability of the police to the people, and provide humane working conditions for the police force Campaign Promises Police reforms: Protect police from executive and political interference Train police force to become people friendly; sensitise them on gender and other issues that need a sensitive approach. Increase ratio of police to people, from the current 120 police personnel per lakh; increase protection of people in public places, and from increasing theft and home burglary. Modernise system by leveraging technology in intelligence gathering, analysis, decisionmaking, and sharing information with stakeholders Establish Jan Lokpal and Jan Lokayukatha to increase vigilance rigour and deter corruption Increase physical health parameters of police workforce Judicial Reforms: Plan, design, and implement automation of judicial process. Increase vigilance rigour on judiciary (currently, it is 5 inspectors for TN). Enable 33% reservation for women in higher and all subordinate courts. Increase infrastructure for speedy disposal of cases. Notify Gram Nyalaya Act 2010, to help poor and rural litigant.

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