EAST DELHI

MANIFESTO
THE CHANGE EAST DELHI DESERVES

LOK SABHA 2019

#AtishiForEastDelhi
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Arvind Kejriwal’s Message 2

Candidate Profile 3
Atishi’s vision for East Delhi 5
• Education and Learning 6
• Business and Livelihood 7
• Healthcare 8
• Law & Order and Women’s Safety 9
• Cleanliness and Sanitation 10
• Environment and Pollution 11
• Public Transport 12
• Culture and Community Building 13
Our Promise: Full Statehood for Delhi 15
What it means to be a Full State 17
Delhi vs other national capitals 18
History of the struggle of Full Statehood 19
Arvind Kejriwal Chief Minister Residence:
6, Flag Staff Road, Civil Lines,
New Delhi-110054

Dear People of Delhi!

Time has arrived that we seek answers to some important questions. Why is Delhi still
not clean despite being the capital of our country? Why are women not safe in Delhi? Why
don't our children get admission in Delhi's colleges even if they get 90% marks? Why are the
youth unemployed? Why are unauthorized colonies not being regularized? Why is sealing
being undertaken at such a massive scale in Delhi?
The answer to all these questions is one – Delhi is not a full state. Today, Delhi
government has to take permission from the Centre for each of its works. And the Central
government puts obstacles on each work. In addition, agencies that deal with the everyday
problems of the people of Delhi such as Delhi Police, DDA and MCD fall directly under the
Centre's jurisdiction. The people of Delhi have no say in them. There's only one solution –
Delhi should be granted full statehood just like all other states. All government agencies
should come under the purview of the elected government.
With full statehood, several dreams of the people of Delhi will be realized. Women safety
will considerably improve. Law and order in Delhi will improve. Youth will get jobs. Every
child who has scored more than 60% marks in 12th Standard will get a college admission.
Sealing will be stopped in Delhi. Every Delhi resident will have a house of his/her own.
Unauthorized colonies will be regularized. Delhi will be a clean and beautiful city. Delhi will
accelerate towards the path of development.
Despite many hurdles, your government has achieved remarkable progress in the ields
of education, health, electricity, water etc. We ful illed all the promises that we made. With full
statehood, we assure you that we will ful ill all the above promises.
Both BJP and Congress made promises that they will get full statehood for Delhi. Modiji,
before he became the Prime Minister, had also demanded full statehood for Delhi. But both
these parties have betrayed the trust of the people of Delhi. Aam Aadmi Party is your own
party. When the AAP sends MPs to the Lok Sabha, we will ensure that this time we make Delhi
a full state. I have spoken to many parties. They will support our demand for full statehood for
Delhi in the Parliament.
Till today, you have voted in Lok Sabha elections to elect your Prime Minister. Now it's
time to vote to make Delhi a full state. History and almighty give an opportunity only once.
Delhi has its opportunity at this moment. This time, vote for the Aam Aadmi Party so that
Delhi becomes a full state.
Yours sincerely,

Arvind Kejriwal
VISION EAST DELHI

KNOW YOUR CANDIDATE - ATISHI

Born to Delhi University professors Vijay Singh and Tripta Wahi, Atishi went to Springdales School in New Delhi.
She studied history at St. Stephen’s College, where she stood first in the Delhi University and went on to Oxford
University to pursue her Master’s on a Chevening scholarship. A few years later she earned her second Master’s
from Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar in Educational Research.
Atishi has played a pivotal role in revamping the state of education in government-run schools in the national
capital. Soon after joining the government, she spent the first few months touring schools in all parts of the city.
Based on her observations and the inputs she received from various stakeholders during her visits, Atishi began
working on putting the basics in place - the low-hanging fruits like cleanliness, upkeep and other infrastructure
issues.
On Atishi’s advise, new sanitation contracts were drawn up and additional staff was provided to schools. School
principals were allowed to hire estate managers to look after non-academic duties such as building maintenance.
When schools were found to be shabby and unclean despite such measures, strict action was initiated against
school principals and other senior officials. The message to the system was that business as usual would not be
accepted by the political executive.
The project closest to Atishi’s heart was the revival of the School Management Committees (SMCs). Mandated by
the Right to Education Act, SMCs are parent bodies meant to monitor and supervise the functioning of govern-
ment schools. Atishi’s personal intervention and persistent effort for over two years led to SMCs turning from
defunct bodies to functional institutions that keep schools accountable to the community. Over the years, the
powers and functions of SMC members have been gradually expanded.
Atishi is a committed political activist who has chosen the difficult path of politics in her quest to achieve lasting
change. She has passionately and tirelessly worked towards building a more just and equitable society. Her deep
commitment to the potential of mass politics and an intimate expertise in policymaking makes for a potent com-
bination as a politician.

atishi.in

3
 VISION EAST DELHI
“Politics is the only means to achieve large scale and long
term change and the Aam Aadmi Party is the best vehicle
of that change in the country”.
- ATISHI
EAST DELHI

ATISHI’S VISION
FOR
EAST DELHI

East Delhi boasts of a diverse and vibrant population. East Delhi is home to profes-
sionals, teachers, artists, businessmen and daily-wagers, who contribute significantly
to the economy and development of Delhi. Despite this, East Delhi has been long
neglected by both Congress and BJP governments, reducing its taxpayers to second-
rate citizens. The lack of educational institutions, infrastructure, healthcare facilities,
public transport, garbage disposal, security and basic civic amenities in the area are
routine problems East Delhi residents have to deal with.
It is unfortunate that the incumbent MP has failed in his role to represent the local
interests of his constituents.
Given Delhi’s complex governance system, I will fight tooth and nail to ensure that
Delhi gets full statehood, which will ensure that everyday problems related to the
DDA, Delhi Police and MCD are resolved in a timely manner.
I believe that true representation of peoples’ concerns and strong political will can
play a big role in improvement and development of a constituency. I am committed
to provide East Delhi residents concrete solutions to the challenges the area faces
today.
It is time East Delhi gets its due and the future it deserves.

- ATISHI

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Education and Learning:

• East Delhi is one of the most densely populated areas of Delhi with a sizeable
young population of approximately 400,000. Despite the growing need, there
are not enough higher education institutions in East Delhi. The constituency will
get its own university campus, so that students do not have to travel across
Delhi in search of good colleges.

• The way AAP transformed government schools across Delhi and in East Delhi;
higher education institutions will be set-up and transformed to provide world-
class college, East Delhi will become the education district of the city.

• Students of Delhi will get 85% quota at the time of college admission in Del-
hi, like other states. Delhi’s children should not have to compete with students
from across the country, when other states freely reserve seats for their residents.

• There will be a special focus on women’s education institutions, especially in

technical fields to improve women’s involvement in the STEM fields.

• All students from Delhi who score above 60% marks will be guaranteed ad-
mission to a good college in Delhi.

• In a full state, more land will be allotted for school education, to construct new
government schools and to improve infrastructure facilities in all the existing
schools. Delhi’s education revolution in schools will not face any roadblocks.

• Along with a new university campus, East Delhi’s youth will also get more cen-
tres for vocational and technical education that makes them job ready.

• Holistic learning and arts education institutions would be set up to provide

opportunities to students.

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 “Unlike the posh areas of New Delhi, East Delhi had remained
neglected under successive Congress and BJP governments.
Despite being home to a vibrant, hard-working population
of professionals, traders, businessmen, daily-wagers, artists
and intellectuals, East Delhi often does not get its due.
VISION EAST DELHI

Change awaits East Delhi. Do not let this opportunity go.

Vote for Atishi. A vote for Atishi is vote for the future of our
children”.
- MANISH SISODIA
Business and Livelihood:

• East Delhi has several small and medium scale businesses that often face is-
sues with local authorities. Committees with concerned stakeholders will be set
up to represent the community’s interests and ease local business.

• Delhi government’s MPs and MLAs had vehemently protested against the re-
cent sealing drive across Delhi which had snatched away people’s sole means of
livelihood. Sellers from East Delhi’s markets—including Asia’s largest cloth mar-
ket of Gandhi Nagar— suffered great loss because of this sealing. In a full state,
sealing of shops or industries will not be allowed.

VISION EAST DELHI

• Instead these shops and markets which form the hotspot of economic activity
in East Delhi will receive full support from the government in simplifying laws
and providing infrastructure facilities such as adequate parking and construc-
tion of market centres.

• The recent damage to the country’s economy has been a major setback for the
people of East Delhi, especially the business and self-employed community. With
full statehood, recruitment will be started to the 2 lakh government posts ly-
ing vacant in Delhi due to the Centre’s interference.

• Like elsewhere in the country, residents of Delhi will also receive 85% reserva-
tion in all government jobs in their state.

• Delhi Subordinate Services Selection Board (DSSSB) will be reformed to meet

the needs of the government machinery in a professional and time bound man-
ner.

• Delhi’s own Public Service Commission will be created for recruitment of State
level cadre of civil servants, other than those of All India Services.

8
 Healthcare:

• Over the past 4 years, the AAP government in Delhi has tried to build at least 3
hospitals in the East Delhi — on Pushta Road, in Okhla’s Batla House area and
in Sarita Vihar. But since Delhi is not a full state and the files for these govern-
ment hospitals was deliberately stopped. With full statehood, East Delhi will get
these three new government hospitals to cater to the needs of the people.

• The Mohalla Clinics and Poly Clinics of the AAP government have been provid-
ing free healthcare services to the people of East Delhi. Despite their benefit to
VISION EAST DELHI

the people of Delhi, these clinics are attacked by the Centre and MCD. East Delhi
will get a strong network of Mohalla and Poly-Clinics which are successful in
providing free, doorstep healthcare services to all citizens.

• Under-staffed and over burdened, best defines the present condition of the
healthcare network in East Delhi. In a full state, Delhi government will have the
power to recruit and will use it to employ more doctors and medical staff, so that
high quality health facilities are not compromised.

• Drug de-addiction is a major concern in different pockets of East Delhi, in-

cluding but not limited to Sarai Kale Khan, Nizamuddin, Kalyanpuri, Trilokpuri
etc. Drug de-addiction centres will be set up to help communities resolve this
problem.

• With the aim of improving women’s healthcare conditions, mother and child
healthcare centres will be set up for specialised care.

• Full statehood status will allow Delhi to have access to a unified healthcare
system with the AAP government ensuring synchronisation between various
governmental agencies.

9
Law & Order and Women’s Safety:

• Many DDA roads in East Delhi are not well lit and are a major safety concern for
women. A thorough survey will be conducted to identify all dark spots around
East Delhi, and install proper lighting in these areas.

• While the central Delhi area boasts of high security, East Delhi has for long
been neglected. Crimes such as eve-teasing, chain snatching or thefts are an
everyday occurrence. The first major step will be to increase the number of PCR
vans in East Delhi, so that 24 hours police surveillance will act as a deterrent for
anti-social elements of the society.

• New police beat boxes will be set up around residential areas, so that people
feel safe at all hours of the day and response time for problems reduces to no
more than a few minutes.

• The number of police officials working in East Delhi will be increased, to keep-
ing in mind the population density and high demand of the area. Recruitment
will be made for all vacant posts.

• At least 33% women police officials will be recruited for all posts under the
Delhi Police.

• Mahila Thanas will be set up in East Delhi, which will be staffed with women
police officials and will cater to women, so that there is no fear of reporting
crimes.

• All police officials will undergo regular skill enhancement trainings and gen-
der sensitisation workshops. A police in service training centre equipped with
world class facilities and learning programmes will be set up for this purpose.

10
 Cleanliness and Sanitation:

• The Ghazipur garbage dump is no longer being used to collect Delhi’s waste
but no measures have been taken up to clear the area either. The garbage at
Ghazipur dump will be cleared within two years by productively using the
garbage in activities such as road construction.

• Ensuring cleanliness in Delhi is the responsibility of the MCD and nowhere has
it failed more, than in East Delhi. Everyday, garbage accumulates on street cor-
ners, in public parks and community spaces as the EDMC refuses to collect it. In a
VISION EAST DELHI

full state, East Delhi will no longer face the problem of garbage collection. Delhi
will be among the cleanest states in the world.

• A complete ban on open dhalaos will be issued, so as to reduce the health

and sanitation hazard from these open garbage collection points.

• Small waste segregation and treatment plants will be set up in neighbour-

hoods across East Delhi, to clean up the area and provide it with a viable waste
management system.

• East Delhi is woefully short of public dustbins which increase the cleanliness
level in public spaces. More dustbins will be installed in East Delhi and these
dustbins will be regularly cleared and managed.

11
Public Transport:

• Residents of East Delhi often have to be dependant on the recently improved

metro network, to travel long distances and reach their work place or colleges.
The steep hike in metro fares had however created problems for residents. Delhi
metro charges will be controlled and concessional metro fares will be provided
to students, senior citizens and those from economically weaker sections.

• The ISBT at Sarai Kale Khan will be revamped into a multi modal hub, which
would include a terminal for state and interstate buses, a Regional Rapid Transit
terminal and a Delhi Metro station.

• Public transport is most widely used when there is adequate last mile con-
nectivity. East Delhi lacks this and people have to resort to private transporta-
tion because of this drawback of the system. A robust last mile connectivity
network will be provided through introducing more buses, adding bud depots
and building more bus terminals in East Delhi. These bus depots will include
multi-level parking to accommodate larger number of buses.

• A women only bus service will be initiated on busy routes, after 7 pm, so that
women feel safe using the public transport at all times. These bus services will
give preference to recruiting women bus drivers.

12
 Environment and Pollution:

• A major problem that East Delhi residents face is of the nallahs or large drains
across East Delhi that not only create a stink but also are also a health hazard.
This problem is faced by residents across East Delhi from New Ashok Nagar to
colonies of Lajpat Nagar. Desilting and cleaning work of nallahs, will be under-
taken within 100 days.

• East Delhi’s green spaces have been disappearing. The public parks managed
by DDA are lying in dismal conditions— often converted to garbage dumps or il-
VISION EAST DELHI

legal parking lots— including the parks in the Buland Masjid area, the Ambedkar
Park in Kondli, and Rana Pratap park in Gandhi Nagar. DDA parks across East
Delhi will be cleaned and brought back to life.

• East Delhi is popularly called ‘jamunapaar’, but this river that is tied to the iden-
tity of Delhi, is in fact little more than a nallah today. With full statehood, Delhi
government will coordinate between various government agencies to ensure a
revival of the Yamuna.

• Small sewage treatment plants will be set up in each mohalla, so that the
polluting discharge is not dumped into the Yamuna.

• The banks of Yamuna will be developed to host light and sound shows spread-
ing awareness on environment and sustainability.

• A stakeholder collective with citizen groups, NGOs and governmental agencies

will be set up to monitor the cleaning up of the Yamuna.

• Subsidised rainwater harvesting systems in residential societies and public

parks will be installed, to encourage the practice of water conservation and solve
the problem of water logging. Similarly, subsidised solar panels will also be
provided to residential societies.

• To combat the growing problem of pollution, vacuum cleaning of all roads

will be undertaken. This will combat the increasing issue of road dust in East
Delhi.

13
Culture and Community Building:

• East Delhi has suffered governmental neglect for many years and it is visible in
the absence of thriving cultural centres in the constituency. There will be 5 new
cultural centres set up to promote art and culture in East Delhi.

• Schools and colleges in will be encouraged to collaborate with these cultural

centres in East Delhi, so as to nurture children and youth in the field of art and
culture.

• Despite people’s demands, community centres have not been set up in many
areas of the constituency, including Sunder Nagar and near Chilla Janta Flats.
This will be immediately rectified. New community centres with public facili-
ties such as clean toilets, drinking water and regular maintenance work, will be
provided in all localities of East Delhi.

• Community centres for senior citizens will be set-up in each Vidhansabha of

East Delhi.

14
DELHI DEMANDS FULL STATEHOOD
16
 Full State-
Transformation
in key areas
VISION EAST DELHI

17
 Delhi vs Other National Capitals:
A Tragedy of Democracy
Although all major political parties have consistently demanded full statehood for Delhi since
1951, it is often said that being a national capital, Delhi cannot be granted the status of a full
state. However, a simple comparison of the powers of Delhi government and that of the local
city governments of major national capitals around the world makes it clear that India has the
most regressive form of governance for its national capital.
In the table that follows, a comparison of powers of Delhi government has been made with 4
large national capitals – London (U.K.), Berlin (Germany), Moscow (Russia) and Mexico City
(Mexico). Comparison has also been made with 2 smaller cities that are national capitals –
Washington DC (U.S.) and Ottawa (Canada).

Mexico Washington
Function Delhi London Berlin Moscow City Ottawa DC

Local Police
û ü ü ü ü ü ü

VISION EAST DELHI

Appointment and
Transfer of Of icials û ü ü ü ü ü ü
Land and City Planning
û ü ü ü ü ü ü
Housing
û ü ü ü ü ü ü
û
Traf ic and Transport
Planning ü ü ü ü ü ü
Control over local
bodies û ü ü ü ü N.A. N.A.

Comparison of powers of Delhi government with other na onal capitals

The above comparison makes it clear how the governance system in Delhi stands out as an
anomaly to all other national capitals – especially those which are large cities such as London,
Berlin, Moscow and Mexico City. Not only does the current governance setup create everyday
hurdles in the delivery of basic public services to the people of Delhi, it stands as a blot on the
core ideals of democracy that India prides itself on.

34 18
 History of Struggle for Full Statehood
¨ 1911- Delhi became the capital of
British India. It was administered by
Chief Commissioner until 1947.
¨ 1947- 'Pattabhi Sitaramayya Committee'
was set up. It recommended that Delhi
be administered by the appointed
lieutenant governor on the instructions
of the Centre.
¨ 1951- Shri Brahm Prakash became the
irst Chief Minister of Delhi. He
demanded for the irst time - full
statehood for Delhi.
¨ 1956- By dissolving the Delhi Legislative
Assembly, its command was handed over
to the lieutenant governor.
¨ 1987- "Balakrishnan Committee"
recommended that there should be a
legislative assembly in Delhi. It would
have the right to make laws on matters
related to state list, except land, police
and public order.
¨ 1993- Reorganization of Delhi
Legislative Assembly took place under
the leadership of the elected government
of Mr. Madanlal Khurana of BJP.
¨ 1998- A draft bill for the full statehood
of Delhi was proposed by BJP leader, Mr.
Sahib Singh Verma.
¨ 1999- The BJP's manifesto promises to
make Delhi a full state.
¨ 2003- The then Deputy Prime Minister
Mr. LK Advani introduced a bill for the
full state in the Parliament. It was
referred to the Standing Committee
headed by Mr.Pranab Mukherjee.
¨ 2014- In the LokSabha elections, BJP's
Delhi unit issued a separate manifesto
for Delhi. It promised full statehood for
Delhi.
¨ 2015- Both the BJP and the Congress, in
their respective manifestos for the Delhi
Assembly elections, promised full
statehood for Delhi.
¨ 2016- Aam Aadmi Party passed a bill in
the Delhi Assembly to make Delhi a full
state. However, it has not yet been
approved by the BJP-ruled Central
government.

Both BJP and Congress have been avoiding the question of full statehood for Delhi. Their
reason being that they did not have their government in the Delhi Assembly. The truth is that
there have been opportunities when they had their government both at the centre and Delhi
Assembly. But they did not take effective steps towards the direction of full statehood for Delhi.
Even today, the stance of BJP and Congress has not been favourable towards granting full
statehood to Delhi.

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#AtishiForEastDelhi