Delhi government gets mixed response from resident associations

Pankaj Agarwal, secretary, Delhi Resident's Welfare Association's Joint Front
“AAP has given people an alternative from the traditional parties. They have shown that ordinary people can get together and throw out a certain party if they don’t deliver. AAP will certainly take time to mature, but as far as integrity and credibility of the people associated with this party is concerned, they will do well because of their desire to serve the people. This is a party with clear agendas and it will go a long way for sure but the problems of our neighbourhood have not yet been addressed by the AAP MLA Somnath Bharti. I haven’t seen any significant improvement since the previous government.”

BS Vohra, president, East Delhi Resident Welfare Association
“I have mixed feelings about the new government. I doubt if the government’s decision to provide free water to each household will benefit all of Delhi’s residents. I also feel it is unjustified if we have to pay for the entire consumption of water even if we exceed by a few lires over 700, and this will be particularly worrisome for joint families. I feel it would’ve been better if the government had waived off arrears. As for electricity tariff, the government should have made concessions across the spectrum and not just limit it to the first 400 units. The anti-corruption helpline could have been empowered to do more instead of playing an advisory role as is the case now. The Aam Aadmi Party has shown promising signs, and Arvind Kejriwal is a good leader. The next few months, however, will really reveal if he delivers.”

SR Gupta, general secretary, Old Rajinder Nagar Welfare Association
“I am glad that AAP did not seek the Congress’ support and instead had a referendum before it decided to form the government. This is a sign of real democracy. We have high expectations of the new government. I am happy with the new government’s water and electricity plan. We hope that now the government looks into the problems of parking lots, traffic, law and order and unauthorised constructions in Old Rajinder Nagar. It will also be nice if they set up health care centres and libraries for senior citizens. My only grievance with Kejriwal is that he hasn’t accepted personal security, he should do so. We need leaders like him.”

Kailash Katyal, president, Federation Of Residents Welfare Assocation
“The new government’s promises are unrealistic. The jhuggi-jhopdis in this area have no water lines or water meters, so giving 700 litre ware to every household is not a well-thought out solution. Similarly, while the new electricity tariff will be helpful, it will not benefit those whose electricity load is more than 3kw per month. The local MLA Raju Dhingan from AAP is unaware of our civic problems. Mr Dhingan has so far not conducted any ‘jan sabha’ or formed a ‘mohalla sabha’. The government must first look into and solve the security and law-and-order problem in the capital. Arvind Kejriwal, as a leader or as an individual, can be an honest and a capable person, but problems of the common people cannot be solved at such a fast pace.”