AAP releases party manifesto, promises Jan Lokpal in 15 days, assures to end fake cases against Muslims

New Delhi: Making its electoral debut in Delhi, the Aam Aadmi Party on Wednesday released a please-all manifesto offering a series of sops, including slashing of power bills by half, special force for protecting women and introduction of Jan Lokpal Bill.

In the 50-page manifesto 'Sakalp patra', Arvind Kejriwal led AAP, which has attacked Delhi government over increase in electricity bills, promised to bring it down by 50 per cent by ordering an audit of accounts of distribution companies (Discoms).

The manifesto also promises introduction of 'Swaraj' (self rule) to decentralise power in the national capital.

"If anyone refused, their licences would be cancelled, inflated bills would be rectified, electricity metres would be checked by independent agencies," said Yogendra Yadav, head of AAP's manifesto committee, while releasing it on Wednesday.

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In a bid to woo Sikh community, the party gave an assurance that it will provide justice to the 1984 anti-Sikh riot victims.

In addition to several sops, AAP said it will end fake encounters and false cases against Muslim youths.

AAP promises to bring in the Jan Lokpal, or an anti-corruption ombudsman, within 15 days by calling an open session of Delhi Assembly on December 29.

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"This Delhi Jan Lokpal Bill would cover all the officials and employees of Delhi Government, from the Chief Minister to MLAs. Under this law, it would be mandatory for everyone to declare their asset. The Lokpal would have full autonomy. Administrative, financial and functional independence and powers to take action public servants," Yadav said.

Yadav was flanked by other party members including Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, Sanjay Singh, Prashan Bhushan and Kumar Vishwas.

Those found guilty of corruption would be sacked, sent to jail and their property would be confiscated, he added. AAP, which is offering itself as an alternative to both the Congress and the BJP, also promised devolution of power to the people by setting up Mohalla Sabha to decide about the development work to be carried out. 

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AAP has promised the withdrawal of cases against those who had not paid power bills during the civil disobedience movement by the party and the end of 'raid-raj of discoms'. The party said it would encourage solar power.

With safety and security emerging as a major concern for people of Delhi after December 16 gruesome gang-rape, the party proposes to set up a 'Citizen's Security Force' with special focus on senior citizens, women and children.

"Though Delhi police is not under Delhi government, but we would pressurise Central government to ensure FIRs are registered, CCTV cameras are installed in FIR registration rooms and implement all the provisions suggested by the report of Verma Committee," Yadav said, adding the party would also work for granting of full statehood to Delhi.

Terming water as another big issue plaguing the city, AAP said its priority would provide safer drinking water to every household. AAP aims to provide 700 litres water daily to every household and clamp down on corruption in Delhi Jal Board (DJB) by bringing transparency in the department.

"AAP promises to provide water to all, either living in authorised or unauthorised colonies, slums or jugghis, freeing all from tanker mafia. All of them would be sent to jail," Yadav said, adding Mohalla Sabha would play important role in distribution of water.

AAP has opposed privatisation of DJB and reaffirmed its commitment to the state's responsibility to provide clean water in every house. It also proposed cross subsidy on water, with no charges to be levied on the household using 700 litres per day.

The party aims to construct two lakh community and public toilets in the city, with 50 per cent of them for women, if it is voted to power. It has promised to make the Yamuna clear by ensuring that no untreated sewage would be discharged in the river.

For which, the party has proposed to redesign the sewage network and make sewage treatment plants functional. The party intends to end the contractual system of hiring of teachers, doctors and medical staff. It would open 500 new schools, more creches (aganwadi) for all children under the age of six-years.

"Government schools and creches would be monitored by an Abhivawak Sabha, an open assembly of all the parents. Also new law would be introduced to regulate fees and ban donations," Yadav said.

The party would ensure quality of education in government schools at par with the private schools, said Yadav, who was flanked by other party members including Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, Sanjay Singh, Prashant Bhushan and Kumar Vishwas.

Assuring to regularise the unauthorised colonies, AAP has promised not to remove slums till alternative plots or flats were provided to the residents.

AAP aims to provide more powers to Delhi villages with the formation of Gram Sabha, work with Centre to remove unnecessary restrictions on villages, extension of 'Lal dora' boundaries, no acquisition of land without the permission of Gram Sabha, Yadav said.

In the healthcare sector, AAP said it would ensure the completion of construction work of hospital buildings, establish new primary health centres, improve and upgrade facilities in government hospitals.

To ensure fast trial, the party would set up more courts and appoint more judges and if needed run courts in two shifts, the AAP leader said, adding special courts would be set up to expedite disposal of cases, and government would not seek adjournments where it is a litigant. AAP has promised to regularise auto-rickshaw fares twice a year and the rates would be fixed accordingly.

It has also assured to provide concessions to senior citizens, disabled and students in Delhi metro and promote use of public transport, for which it would increase the number of buses and establish 'Unified Transport Authority'.

On the social front, the Kejriwal-led party promised to ensure use of SC component plan for welfare of Scheduled Caste in budget, ensure implementation reservation rules for SC, ST and OBC in Delhi government jobs, provide zero-interest or low-cost loans for entrepreneurs from the Scheduled Castes.

The party also promised job and education opportunities to young people from the Valmiki community, a prominent Dalit community in Delhi. AAP, which has formed a cell for 1984 anti-Sikh riot victims, said it would ensure all efforts would be made to provide justice to them.

It would also ensure that fake encounters and false cases against Muslim youth shall end, improve condition of government schools, provide true second language status to Urdu and Punjabi, bring transparency in functioning of Delhi Waqf Board and resolve issues of land for graveyards.

To promote sports and culture, the party has decided to open public library in each Assembly constituencies, make museums more accessible, improve facilities for boys and girls and make available to people the sports facilities build during Commonwealth Games.