Arvind Kejriwal announces AAP’s 11 point agenda for urban development of Punjab
Will end Raid Raj in Punjab like Delhi; will resolve industry-related problems and incentivise setting up of new industries: Arvind Kejriwal
AAP will promote businesses of Punjab like never before and drive the state into prosperity: Arvind Kejriwal
If AAP could revolutionise schools & hospitals in 4-5 years why did the ‘big parties’ not try to do it in 75 years? They clearly don’t want the public to be happy: Arvind Kejriwal
We are young into the game, we are full of energy and are ready with an iron willed plan; give AAP one chance and let us revolutionise Punjab: Arvind Kejriwal
Will start doorstep delivery of services in Punjab, underground the overhead cables like Delhi: Arvind Kejriwal
AAP will transform hospitals of Punjab; build Mohalla Clinics and ensure all treatments are done for free: Arvind Kejriwal
Will fix the cleanliness systems of urban areas; provide 24×7 free electricity and water: Arvind Kejriwal
Like Delhi, Punjab will also get a rigorous CCTV infrastructure; will fix all market roads and parkings: Arvind Kejriwal
Congress had 26 years, Badal Family 19, they have nothing more left to do here; give AAP just one chance and see what we do: Arvind Kejriwal
We have won everyone’s hearts in Delhi; we’ll win the hearts of Punjab too: Arvind Kejriwal
NEW DELHI/PUNJAB:
AAP National Convenor and Delhi CM Shri Arvind Kejriwal announced his latest guarantee for Punjab while rooting for urban development today. He stated — The AAP Government won’t bring any new tax and will be committed to urban development. We will end Raid Raj in Punjab like Delhi and resolve industry-related problems and incentivise setting up of new industries. AAP will promote businesses of Punjab like never before and drive the state into prosperity. If AAP could revolutionise schools & hospitals in 4-5 years why did the ‘big parties’ not try to do it in 75 years? They clearly don’t want the public to be happy. We are young into the game, we are full of energy and are ready with an iron willed plan; give AAP one chance and let us revolutionise Punjab. We will start doorstep delivery of services in Punjab, underground the overhead cables like Delhi. AAP will transform hospitals of Punjab; build Mohalla Clinics and ensure all treatments are done for free. We will fix the cleanliness systems of urban areas; provide 24×7 free electricity and water. Like Delhi, Punjab will also get a rigorous CCTV infrastructure; will fix all market roads and parkings. Congress had 26 years, Badal Family 19, they have nothing more left to do here; give AAP just one chance and see what we do. We have won everyone’s hearts in Delhi; we’ll win the hearts of Punjab too.
AAP National Convenor and Delhi CM Shri Arvind Kejriwal is on a crucial Punjab tour right ahead of the polls. On Saturday, he held a Townhall meeting in Jalandhar with the business community of Punjab. After this, he addressed a press conference to announce AAP’s new guarantee for urban dwellers, along with MP and Punjab CM Candidate Shri Bhagwant Mann.
I may lack experience I may not know politics but I have good intentions: Arvind Kejriwal
While addressing the Townhall, Shri Arvind Kejriwal said, “The purpose of this town hall was to interact with the ‘cream’ of Punjab’s business community. Everyone present here leads thousands of people so we thought they’d be fit for us to discuss urban development and business promotion in Punjab with. I am an ordinary man, I lack experience. But all these I’ve learnt that development depends heavily on honest intent and willpower. Look at our schools in Delhi, what has happened is unbelievable. Delhi’s schools have improved drastically over the years. The 12th class result of government schools came in at 99.6 percent this time. Never in India’s history was this thought to be possible. You can look for results of other states, they get 45 percent, 50 percent, and 55 percent results. Admissions of children of our government schools are being done in IITs today. 350 children have been admitted this time. Our children are clearing NEET, becoming lawyers and the children of our government schools are speaking fluent English, never did anyone think it was possible. Real nation-building is taking place in Delhi’s schools today. I often think, if we did it in four-five years, why didn’t it happen in 75 years? There are so many big parties and leaders, so why didn’t they do it. They didn’t, because their intentions were not good. Today we were able to do so many things in Delhi because we had no personal interest in clearing any file. Our intentions are honest and we want to work.”
Dial up your friends and family in Delhi, if they don’t speak well of our work, don’t vote for us: Arvind Kejriwal
He added, “I request everyone that before you vote, you should check whether we are right or not. Votes are very valuable. You can call any businessman in Delhi and ask whether Kejriwal takes money? If he says that Kejriwal or any minister took money, then don’t vote for me. You should also ask whether they are happy with the Kejriwal government. If they refuse, don’t vote for me. No Congress or BJP leader can make this claim for Rajasthan or Madhya Pradesh. But today I am challenging everyone. Call someone in Delhi and ask whether the Kejriwal government has transformed Delhi. If they say no, then don’t vote for me.”
Voting for Congress or Akalis will mean wasting 5 years: Arvind Kejriwal
He continued, “Punjab was established as a separate state in 1966. From then until now, Congress has ruled for 26 years, and the Badal family has ruled for 19 years. They’ve done whatever they could. They have nothing to do now. If you vote for them, you will waste 5 years. AAP has a plan, and good intentions; give it a shot, you’re all businessmen. Give us a chance for five years and see what we do; if we don’t, I won’t come to you for votes the next time.”
Ended Raid Raj in Delhi; will similarly resolve the issues faced by the trading community of Punjab too: Arvind Kejriwal
The Delhi CM said, “We ended Raid Raj in Delhi. We issued a WhatsApp number, that if any inspector demands money from any trader or shopkeeper, they can take a picture of that inspector and send it on the issued number. All inspectors sat home after then. Why? Because our intentions were clear. Had our intentions been tainted, and had we wanted to make money, we would have told all inspectors to continue extorting money and split it. But we ended Raid Raj. There were a lot of matters that the trading community faced which we resolved – many legal and other nitty gritties of matters that traders face. It is not as if I will declare some promises, and everything will magically correct itself. When you vote for us and choose us for 5 years, we establish a relationship. So we will similarly resolve the issues faced by the trading community, because our intentions are clear.”
Won everyone’s hearts in Delhi with public friendly governance: Arvind Kejriwal
He continued, “In Delhi, the trading community was considered to be the BJP’s vote bank. Everyone used to say that the traders are all BJP’s people. I am a Baniya myself, but Delhi’s Baniyas never used to vote for me. But now they do. Because over the past five years, we have won over their hearts, not threatened them into submission. Had I done that, carried out raids, issued notices, then I wouldn’t have had the audacity to show up here and ask you all to call up people in Delhi to ask. Then the people in Delhi would tell you not to vote for me. But today I am standing here and speaking in front of you after having won the hearts of the people in Delhi. Give us 5 years, we will win your hearts over as well. Today, the people in Delhi also believe that no one can replace the Aam Aadmi Party, all other parties have ceased to exist.”
Solid plan ready to push for urban development in Punjab: Arvind Kejriwal
Talking about AAP’s Guarantee for the urban development of Punjab, Shri Arvind Kejriwal said, “Some urban matters were brought to my notice that we have not yet discussed. One of them is regarding cleanliness, garbage disposal, daily cleaning, and solid waste management. We will make sure all of Punjab’s cities are clean and spotless. Many of you must have been abroad, and seen how clean the cities there are. Similarly, we have to ensure that Ludhiana, Amritsar, Jalandhar are also clean and pristine. Second, we started doorstep delivery of services in Delhi – for example, if one needs a licence from the government, or a ration card, or any other work, one normally has to take a leave, go to the government office, stand in long lines, fill up forms, and finally when it is their turn, some objection or the other comes up. The same process gets repeated, for the officer to make money off the common people. And people end up paying. Now in Delhi, we have issued a phone number – 1076 – which connects you to the 150 departments of the Delhi Government. Once you are in Delhi, and you dial this number, the operator will ask you your requirement and the documents needed for the same. It will also ask you for your convenience for a visit from an officer from the Delhi Government at any hour of the day with a scanner, after which the officer will scan and authorise your documents. Within a week or 10 days after this process, your ration card, or any other licence will be delivered to your home. We will do the same in Punjab. Third, we will start undergrounding overhead cables. These cables don’t only pose a threat to life but also look ugly. We’re doing this in Delhi too, Chandini Chowk is a good example of this. We will do it in Punjab as well.”
AAP will build 16,000 Mohalla Clinics in every Mohalla and Pind in Punjab: Arvind Kejriwal
Speaking about changes in healthcare, Shri Arvind Kejriwal said, “In each locality in Delhi, a Mohalla Clinic has been built. All tests, treatments, and medications are provided at no cost. Similarly, Mohalla Clinics will be established in every locality and pind throughout Punjab. Within Punjab, approximately 16,000 mohalla clinics will be required. The condition of Punjab’s government hospitals is appalling, and extremely poor. We will rebuild and reform the hospitals. Currently in these hospitals, machines aren’t working, and doctors aren’t showing up; medicines are not available. Previously, the same situation existed in Delhi. However, once we begin to improve the condition of the hospitals, this same doctor will begin to do fantastic work. Today, the same doctors and nurses have led a revolution in Delhi. This will be done in Punjab as well. We will transform hospitals and clinics and provide all treatment for free. So, whatever happens at home, one will not have to go to private hospitals. One can simply go to the government hospital, where they will be well taken care of. In Delhi, we have built excellent hospitals where free treatment is given.”
Like Delhi, will install CCTV cameras for public safety in Punjab: Arvind Kejriwal
The AAP Convenor continued, “I believe that Punjab’s schools will succeed. In Delhi, we have managed to transform the government schools to the point where 2.5 lakh children have opted out of private schools and enrolled in government schools this year. This will be done in Punjab as well. We will provide electricity 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Previously, power outages in Delhi lasted 7-8 hours. But now, electricity is now available 24×7. Water will be available for 24 hours in Punjab once AAP comes to power. We will not introduce any new tax in Punjab. In Delhi, we have not raised taxes by a single paisa in the last seven years, and have decreased them instead. We will address existing industry issues in Punjab and provide new incentives for the establishment of new industries. We will enhance women’s security and make them feel safer. Today, Delhi is the only city in the world with the greatest number of CCTV cameras per square kilometre. Delhi has overtaken New York, Washington, and London. We have 1800 cameras per square kilometre, while New York has between 1100 and 1200. We have installed such a dense network of CCTV cameras within Delhi that it has increased people’s security. If there is a crime, the perpetrator is immediately caught. All of this will be done in Punjab as well.”
Once given the chance, will work together to solve all of Punjab’s problems: Arvind Kejriwal
He concluded, “Since there are so many markets in Punjab, the condition of roads is poor. We will repair the roads, construct parking, and install restrooms. Once we get a chance in Punjab, we will work together to resolve all of the state’s issues. When our Delhi Government was formed, we had no idea how to run schools and hospitals, let alone build roads. Our intention, however, was clear. As a result, we sat with those who had to run schools – talked to them about it and reformed the education sector. This became true because we had a clear intention and wanted to put in the work. We don’t know how to run businesses, and we’re unfamiliar with the workings of Punjab’s industry. But we will sit down with the people of Punjab and they will decide everything, and the government will run according to their instructions.”