Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi, raised concerns on Monday over what he described as a “significant constitutional crisis” in the national capital. He accused the city’s officers of refusing to carry out their duties due to pressure from the BJP, hindering various schemes including Mohalla Clinics, CCTVs, hospital medicines, the ‘Farishtey’ initiative, and DTC pensions.
Kejriwal highlighted the stalling of the proposed ‘one-time settlement’ scheme aimed at addressing inflated water bills, attributing the obstruction to the actions of the officers. He warned of a large-scale protest by his Aam Aadmi Party if the scheme is not promptly executed.
During a discussion in the Delhi Assembly, Kejriwal called upon Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena to ensure the implementation of the scheme or take appropriate action against the non-compliant officers.
Expressing determination to confront the BJP-led Centre, Kejriwal affirmed the Delhi government’s commitment to enforce the ‘one-time settlement scheme’ of the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) regardless of obstacles.
In lamenting the diminished authority of Delhi’s government, Kejriwal remarked on the lack of compliance from officers, asserting that if Delhi enjoyed full statehood, such insubordination would not be tolerated.
The Chief Minister emphasized the gravity of the situation, questioning the sustainability of governance if officers refuse to cooperate. He accused the BJP of deriving satisfaction from the plight of Delhi’s residents and aiming to destabilize the city.
Kejriwal appealed to the Leader of Opposition, Ramvir Singh Bidhuri, to prioritize the implementation of the scheme over political differences, offering to credit the BJP for its success if achieved. Bidhuri, however, criticized the government’s alleged lack of commitment to the scheme and questioned the origin of the inflated bills sent to consumers.
