Jan Lokpal Bill in cabinet on Friday, session in fortnight: AAP

NEW DELHI: As the AAP government completed one month, chief minister Arvind Kejriwal asserted that his team has done a great job in addressing various challenges faced by the city in a short span of time without allowing controversies to affect morale. Citing recent opinion polls, Kejriwal said surveys have confirmed that people were happy with their performance.

"Recent surveys have shown us to be popular amongst more than 55% to 70% of people. This means we are on the right track. However, there is a lot to be done in coming days," said Kejriwal as he recalled key decisions taken in the past one month like providing 20 kilolitres of free water and power subsidy, CAG audit of discoms and launching of anti-corruption and nursery helplines.

The CM said the biggest achievement of his government was curbing corruption in the government sector. Referring to his anti-graft helpline he said, "an interesting campaign was launched to tackle corruption... .I do not have a scientific study to show that corruption has been reduced but people have told me that money is no longer being asked for (the way it was earlier). I had sent volunteers five days ago to various departments. They observed that in most departments, except for VAT, corruption has been reduced." He announced that soon they may engage a private agency do a survey on the issue.

"There is a sense of fear (among the corrupt) which is necessary. So we are encouraging some independent organization to do a survey for finding out to what extent things have changed," he said.

Kejriwal said they were all set to introduce the Jan Lokpal bill in Delhi assembly. "It will be introduced in the cabinet on Friday and in 10-15 days there might be an assembly session where it will be passed," he said. Asked if the bill which may lead to action against former Congress ministers will be stalled by Congress MLAs, Kejriwal said in that case it will be for the public to decide the course of action. He said while his government will come down hard on corrupt officials, it will also protect honest officers. "We are considering ways to protect the honest officers," he said.

On plans to further clean the system, Kejriwal said a draft on mohalla sabhas was being prepared to transfer power to people and curb corruption in bureaucracy. "This step will change democracy forever." He noted that AAP government had taken the initiative to end VIP culture.

Kejriwal said all political appointments made by the previous governments would be cancelled. He said the Delhi government holds five seats in the governing body of each of the 28 colleges in Delhi University that are fully funded by the state government. "The seats were earlier filled by members of the Congress. Now academics and educationists are being invited from all over the country for these seats." Similarly, public prosecutors appointed by the Congress would be removed, he said.

On his government's decision to ask for an SIT on the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, he said a thorough probe was required as demanded by the Sikh community. The press conference was disrupted by the Congress MLA from Okhla, Asif Khan, after Kejriwal, in reply to a question, said he was not considering appointing an SIT to investigate the Batla House encounter. He claimed that since the court has already given its verdict in the case, there was no need for another probe.

source  - TOI