Full Statehood for Delhi – Arvind Kejriwal’s letter to you

My Dear Residents of Delhi,

When India gained Independence in 1947, the whole country became a democracy. The people of the entire country started voting and electing their Government. Those Governments started working according to the will of the people. But Delhi did not get complete freedom. In Delhi, the rule of Viceroy of the British Empire was replaced by the rule of the Lieutenant General (LG).

Why can’t we have People’s rule in Delhi?
Although the people of Delhi elect it, the Delhi Government does not have much say in governance. No matter which Government the people elect, the rule of the LG prevails. This means that only in Delhi, people’s vote has zero value. This is an insult to the people of Delhi. Why are the residents of Delhi considered only half-citizens?

Insult to the People of Delhi
The people of Delhi are insulted every single day. e.g.

• People of Delhi say, “We want CCTVs to ensure women safety”. The moment the elected Government starts installing CCTVs, the LG says, “I will not allow CCTVs to be installed”.
• People of Delhi say, “We want Mohalla Clinics and Schools”. The LG says, “I will not allow Mohalla Clinics and Schools to be built”.
• People of Delhi say, “We want Ration”. LG says, “We will not provide Ration”.
• People of Delhi say, “Please regularize our unauthorized colonies”. LG says, “I will not allow regularization of unauthorized colonies”.

Earnings from our blood, sweat and tears is taken away by the Central Government
Even the British did not harass the residents of Delhi as much as the Central government does today. The British used to impose exorbitant taxes on us and send all the accruals to England. Today, the Central Government has imposed similar circumstances on the people of Delhi. The Central Government takes away Rs. 1,30,000 crores from the people of Delhi by way of Income Tax every year, and in return gives back a paltry Rs. 325 crores for the development of Delhi. Even the British did not indulge in such unfair activities. This is earnings from our blood, sweat and tears. Will the people of Delhi continue to be robbed in this manner and remain silent?

A home for each resident of Delhi
We are not asking for the entire amount to be returned to us. But return at least 30 percent of the amount for the development of Delhi. 30 percent of Rs. 1,30,000 crores amounts to Rs. 40,000 crores. If Rs. 40,000 crores arrives every year, our Government will build a home for each resident of Delhi within five years.

Jobs for the unemployed
Today our youth are not getting jobs. Every year thousands of jobs get created in the Delhi Government. Do you agree that the children of the voters of Delhi should have 85% reservation in the Delhi Government jobs? When Delhi has full statehood, we shall provide 85% reservation for the children of the voters of Delhi. With this, thousands of our children will start getting jobs every year.

College admission for each child
I feel very sad when our children fail to get admission in colleges even after securing 97% marks. We requested permission from the Central Government to open new Universities in Delhi. But they do not allow us to open Universities. When Delhi has full statehood, we shall build so many new colleges in Delhi that children with even 70% marks will get admission in colleges.

Regularizing unauthorized colonies
In Delhi, our Government has sent numerous proposals to the Central Government to regularize unauthorized colonies, but the Central Government refused to do so. When Delhi has full statehood, this can be achieved within a month.

Crime-free Delhi
Nowadays, crime in Delhi is increasing day by day. Especially, crime against women is increasing every day. The Police do not do anything. When the people approach the Ministers or the MLAs reporting such crimes, they are helpless, because the Police comes directly under the LG. The LG does not meet anybody. Where will the hapless people of Delhi go? When Delhi has full statehood, the Police will be directly answerable to the people of Delhi. If Police personnel do not do their duty, then the people of Delhi can report this to their own elected Government and get the Police personnel replaced or pressurize them to perform.

Both BJP and Congress have betrayed Delhi
Both BJP and Congress have betrayed us till now. Before every election, both the parties have announced in their respective manifestos that if they were to win the elections, they would give full statehood to Delhi. In the last 20 years, both the parties had Governments at the Centre, but neither gave full statehood to Delhi. Before the last Lok Sabha elections, Modi ji too had promised that he would give full statehood to Delhi. The people of Delhi believed him and made him win all the 7 seats in Delhi. But after winning, Modi ji conveniently forgot his promise.

Before Modi ji became Prime Minister, during Sheila Dixit’s stint as Chief Minister, Delhi used to be a half-state. Forget giving full statehood to Delhi, Modi ji did not spare even the half-state of Delhi. He started snatching away one by one all the powers of the elected Government of Delhi. Today Delhi is reduced to less than 10 percent of a state. From the Government elected by the people of Delhi, Modi ji snatched away the Anti-Corruption Branch. Now the elected Government has no control over the bureaucrats, who do not follow its instructions. Modi ji has given all the powers to the LG.

We have to fight for full statehood
The most important question today is whose wishes and decisions should prevail in Delhi – the LG’s or the people of Delhi’s? The time has now come when the people of Delhi will have to fight for their self-respect, their rights and for the future of their children.

Yours,

Arvind Kejriwal