Continued Healthcare Investment
Prudence pays-off! AAP had pledged to transform the Capital’s ailing healthcare system in its election manifesto. True to their word, immediately after assuming power, the AAP Government decided to infuse more funds for improving and expanding the city’s primary and tertiary healthcare. From a trivial 3,300 crores in 2015-16 to 7,484 crores in 2019-20, the health sector budget has seen a quantum jump.
With enhanced public funding, the Government took a slew of measures to expand healthcare facilities across the city. These included a growing network ‘Mohalla Clinics’, Polyclinics and Hospitals, and schemes to provide free medicines, tests and surgeries for critical illnesses. The concept of Mohalla Clinics is the most talked about. Located inside small neighborhoods or communities, these clinics enable immediate access to quality primary healthcare services at an extremely low cost – where there was none. Today, Mohalla Clinics are playing a significant role in helping the urban poor with increased access to basic healthcare for illness such as fever, diarrhea, respiratory problems, first aid for injuries and burns and referral services among others.
According to the Deputy CM, Manish Sisodia, the Government is currently providing health care services to the residents of Delhi through:
- 451 Mohalla Clinics (to be increased to 1000 in 2020-21), 26 polyclinics and 36 multi-specialty/super-specialty hospitals.
- Tie-up with 41 private hospitals to facilitate 30 surgeries free of charge for patients referred by Government hospitals in the Capital.
- More than 55 lakh citizens have benefitted through Mohalla clinics, while 2.25 crore patients have been treated through the Delhi government hospitals and polyclinics.
- 94 polyclinics established by way of upgradation of existing dispensaries.
- Upgrading of 16 existing Government hospitals and construction of new hospitals to increase bed capacity from 10,000 to 26,000.
- Innovative concept of motorbike ambulances.
The AAP Government is already providing free surgery, radiology, diagnostic tests and medical treatment through the Arogya Kosh. 1016 surgical packages are included free of cost in this scheme.
Taking another imperative step in health services, AAP announced the Mukhya Mantri Health Card scheme. Under this, QR-based e-Health Cards will be issued to all the residents of Delhi, to identify and track demographic and basic clinical details of every patient. The e-Health Cards will be linked to a Hospital Information Management System in all Government health centers, to enable citizens avail information on one platform during an emergency. By 2021, Delhi will be the only state to have a cloud-based health management system which will also be extended to private hospitals in the near future.
AAP’s continuous investment to overhaul the healthcare infrastructure of the National Capital has done exceedingly well to revive the hope for a neglected public health sector. It has brought about the much-needed spotlight on the party’s conscious efforts to reach out to the poor and needy – this was evident during the Covid19 pandemic. The AAP Government has been working diligently in coordination with the central government in their fight against the disease. A provision of 50 crores has been made for 2020-21. “In the future, we will continue to allocate as much as required to deal with this epidemic,” said the Deputy CM.
Blurb:
Ban Ki-moon, former Secretary General of United Nations commended AAP Government’s health initiatives
Smart Vehicles and Upgrading of Pedestrian Infrastructure
Unique EV Policy for a Cleaner and Greener Delhi launched
By approving the Electric Vehicle Policy 2020, the AAP Government has enthroned Delhi as the EV Capital of India. The objective envisions large-scale adoption of electric vehicles across segments, especially in the mass category of two-wheelers, public/shared transport vehicles and good carriers.
The unique policy will be valid for a period of three years, during which, additional fiscal incentives will be offered – over and above the demand incentives offered by the Central Government’s FAME II scheme.
The EV policy seeks to drive the rapid adoption of Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) by as much as 25% of all new vehicle registrations by end of 2020. Attractive incentives under this probiotic approach for the different vehicle categories are:
- Electric Four-wheelers: A purchase incentive of Rs 10,000 per kWh of battery capacity per vehicle (maximum Rs 1.5 lakh per vehicle) to the registered owner of the first 1000 e-cars.
- Electric Two-wheelers: The demand generation incentives are based on battery capacity (available only for electric two-wheelers with advanced batteries). A purchase incentive of Rs 5000 per kWh of battery capacity per vehicle to the registered owner (maximum Rs 30,000 per vehicle). Registered owners are also be eligible for an incentive for scrapping and de-registering old ICE two-wheelers registered in Delhi.
- Electric Auto Rickshaws/e-Rickshaws/e-Carts: An open permit for e-autos will be given on a first-come-first-serve basis. Individuals with a valid LMV driving license and a PSV badge are eligible. A purchase incentive of Rs 30,000 per vehicle will be provided to the registered owners of electric autos, electric rickshaws and electric carts. The incentive is applicable to all e-rickshaws and e-carts, including models with lead-acid batteries and swappable models, where the battery is not sold with the vehicle. Additionally, interest subvention of 5% on loans and hire purchase scheme is being offered in case of loans availed from Delhi Finance Corporation (DFC).
- Electric Buses: The AAP Government is looking to add a substantial number of buses to the public transport fleet during this period. The policy seeks Electric Buses to constitute at least 50% of all new stage carriage buses procured for the city fleet, starting with the induction of 1000 electric buses by end of 2020.
- Goods Carriers: Light Commercial Vehicles used as goods carriers will get a purchase incentive of Rs 30,000 to the first 10,000 e-carriers to be registered in Delhi, in addition to 5% interest subvention on loans availed from DFC. The purchase of e-carriers will also be eligible for an incentive for scrapping and de-registering of old ICE goods carriers.
- Additional Provisions and Policy Implementation: Road Tax and Registration Fees will be waived for all battery electric vehicles during the period of the policy.
A dedicated EV cell and State Electric Vehicle Board is constituted for the effective implementation of the EV policy.
Naveen Munjal, Managing Director of Hero Electric praised Arvind Kejriwal and his team for the progressive policy and hoped that it will inspire other states in India to adopt similar measures.
Blurb:
“It has set an example of how a policy can run without using exchequer money.”
– Sohinder Gill, Director General, SMEV
The Metamorphosis of Chandni Chowk!
Several projects aimed at easing traffic delays undertaken by the AAP Government, were completed on time and below budget – adding great value, without compromising on quality or ethics.
The Chandni Chowk beautification program (to be completed by 31st December 2020), makes way for a pedestrian-friendly heritage walk. The remodeling is designed to offer a seamless shopping experience –with restricted vehicular movement, the gridlock traffic and parking woes will soon be a thing of the past!
The 1300-meter-long stretch is divided into four stretches. Work on the first 450 meters is complete. The newly built pavements measure 5.5 meters wide on either side (8 meters at some points) offer unplugged walkways. For electric and cycle rickshaws, a dedicated 5.5-meter-wide lane has been provided in the middle of the road. The entire Chandni Chowk will transform into a non-motorized vehicle area from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
The upcoming Omaxe Mall will offer a clean, vibrant and modern shopping experience, yet preserving the legacy of Chandni Chowk and the panache of Delhi’s old-world charm, according to Mohit Goel, CEO, Omaxe Ltd. Various public facilities such as hygienic toilets, benches across the stretch and red-light pedestrian crossing are an indispensable part of the beautification project for which a princely budget of 90 crores has been ear-marked.
Multi-pronged War on Pollution
Delhi’s Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal recently launched a promising campaign named ‘Yudh Pradhushan Ke Virudh’ (War Against Pollution), to challenge and tackle this growing menace. The unconventional drive enlists some never-before measures – result of the thought process of an expert committee:
- Launching a ‘Green War Room’ which will be the center for collaboration of different agencies that will work together to tackle air pollution.
- Launching a mobile app called ‘Green Delhi’ in order to increase public participation and awareness.
- Banning of electricity generator sets (diesel, petrol, kerosene) of all capacities from October 15, except for essential or emergency services by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee. This features under Graded Response Action Plan, a set of anti-pollution restrictions that include pre-emptive measures to stop the air quality from deteriorating to SOS levels.
- Coordinating with the neighboring states of Haryana and Punjab that contribute to a whopping 45% of Delhi’s pollution, to ensure that alternatives to stubble burning are found.
After four years of intense research, the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa backed by the Delhi Government has developed a ground-breaking bio-decomposer solution that converts the stubble into compost, within 15 days! No more stubble-burning, no more pollution – and what’s more, farmers have to simply spray this organic solution on the stubble and get rewarded with manure for their fields!
Delhi plans to spray this solution across 700 hectares of farmland and has decided to shoulder the cost of Rs 20 lakhs involved in this exercise.
- Focusing on increasing the green cover (preserving the existing trees and planting new trees) under the rich ‘Tree Policy’ plan.
- Imposing heavy fines on those who are found violating the anti-pollution guidelines.
- Red Light On–Engine Off campaign to encourage people to switch-off their vehicle engines while waiting at long traffic signals.
- Setting stringent rules for the construction industry to tackle dust pollution.
Blurb:
Delhi government wanted to make the national capital “a role model, so that the other states can make no excuses for avoiding stubble burning.”
– Gopla Rai, Delhi’s Environment Minister
The below can be highlight news on the website homepage:
STOP-PRESS
DELHI RANKS 62 AMONG THE WORLD’S 100 BEST CITIES FOR 2021!
Up from last year’s 81, Delhi has significantly improved its ranking – validated by Resonance Consultancy Limited, a Vancouver-based company specializing in destination development, design, tourism, data and travel reports.
The international ranking is done based on the quality of place, reputation and competitive uniqueness of global cities, by taking insights of locals, tourists and business leaders.
Blurb:
“Such good news for all Dilli-walas. All Dilli-walas have worked so hard in the last six years to make it happen. The world is noticing the positive changes happening in Delhi.”
– Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal
“Congratulations to all the proud people of Delhi and Arvind Kejriwal for the leadership. Our beloved Delhi is ranked 62 in world’s best cities. The only Indian city in the list!”
– Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia