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With the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) getting sworn-in today, the focus has now shifted to the feasibility of its promises. A close look at the party’s promises suggests a mix of high hopes and plain Utopia.
The novice party promises, among other things, 50 per cent reduction in power rates, 700 litres of water free to each household in a day, a Jan Lok Pal Bill within 15 days of coming to power, obtaining clearance from mohalla sabhas for all developmental projects, citizens’ security forces to protect women, children and the elderly, five hospital beds for every 1,000 people and making government schools as good as private ones. Though only time will tell whether these can be achieved or not, let us look at each one of these promises.
| PROMISES GALORE | |
| Promises | Feasibility |
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Of all the promises, the one that has been the most debated is the promise of 50 per cent reduction in power rates. The reaction has been in extremes. While some experts say it is impossible to deliver, the AAP says it can by “ordering an audit of discoms, rectifying inflated bills and getting electricity bills checked by independent agencies”.
The AAP proposes to supply 700 litres of water every day to all households for free. But the current water situation in the national capital explicitly suggests that implementing such a promise is not feasible. Delhi faces a water shortfall of 24 per cent on paper. The city needs 1,100 million gallons a day, against the capacity of 835 million gallons. But nearly 40 per cent of the available capacity gets lost due to a faulty distribution system. As a result, while the privileged colonies get 500 litres of water a day per household, the less-privileged ones have to manage with a meagre 30 litres per household a day. This is happening at a time when only 72 per cent of the city’s 16.8 million population (according to Census 2011) is covered by water supply.
Free supply of water will come with a cost, too. According to an estimate, Delhi will have to spend an additional Rs 340 crore just to supply water for free.
The AAP leaders, though, have a different take. AAP national secretary Pankaj Gupta had told Business Standard some time ago, “Water is a basic need. When we say it should be made available to everybody, what is wrong in it? Water needed for basic requirements will not be charged; consumption above that will, of course, be charged.”
He added money saved by plugging loopholes will be enough to implement many schemes. Money may not be a problem. But where will water come from? And, what is the plan to check the 40 per cent distribution losses?
The AAP has pledged to pass a Jan Lok Pal Bill within 15 days of assuming power. Given the current pro-Lok Pal mood in the Congress, the AAP might not have too much difficulty in getting this legislation passed in the Delhi Assembly. Differences though, could emerge on certain provisions of the proposed Bill.
The most novel, and perhaps most democratic, of promises is with regard to devolution of power. The AAP proposes to set up nearly 2,700 mohalla (block) committees that will have to clear area-specific development plans. Experts, however, are of the view that mohalla committees will have to be given certain statutory powers to carry out this function. This will entail amending the Delhi Municipal Act. For that to happen, a clearance will have to be obtained from the Union ministry of urban development.
Experts also point out that mohalla committee deliberations might result in delays in execution of several plans.
“Local committees are good to the extent of local issues such as implementation of MNREGS (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme). But beyond that, when it comes to water, highways and electricity, there will be practical issues,” says T S R Subramanian, former Cabinet secretary.
The AAP seeks to open 500 government schools. Experts say this will require land, which is not controlled by the Delhi government. Similarly, the promise of providing five hospital beds per 1,000 population is going to be an uphill task. At the moment, the ratio stands at 2.55. Between 2004 and 2011, the number of beds saw an increase of 9,657 and beds per 1,000 population increased from 2.25 in 2004 to 2.55 in 2011. Can the capacity be doubled in the next five years when the Delhi government has no control over land. This seems unlikely. The AAP’s position on some economic issues might not go down well with industry. The party is opposed to foreign direct investment in retailing. The manifesto also talks about “no contractual jobs for work required 365 days a year.”
For a specialised security force for the protection of women, the party would again need permission from the Union government. “Since law and order in Delhi is under the control of the Ministry of Home Affairs, the state government would need sanction of the Union finance ministry for creating every new post,” says a senior government functionary, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
But if the party is really committed, it could create a force akin to the Delhi Home Guards, which does not have legal power but assists police in its law and order duties. Or, it can simply request the Delhi Police Commissioner to spare some personnel for the purpose.
Political commentators, however, say while the AAP could have made somewhat unrealistic promises, what it has managed to do is to bring promises made prior to elections to the forefront. Henceforth, other parties will have to be careful with their promises. And, delivery on promises will come in for far greater scrutiny.
