File photo: Delhi CM Rekha Gupta (Picture credit: ANI)
NEW DELHI: Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta on Friday outlined her government’s priorities in the Delhi Legislative Assembly, stressing planned development, pollution control, healthcare expansion and a shift towards electric mobility, while also launching a sharp attack on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).Addressing the House, Gupta said her government clearly communicates its direction and targets to the public. Calling pollution a crucial issue for the national capital, she said the government is committed to completing 1,100 Arogya Mandirs across Delhi as part of its healthcare roadmap. She added that new nursing staff have already been recruited to strengthen the health system.On the Yamuna river crisis, the Chief Minister said work is underway to treat drains flowing into the river, alongside improvements to the sewage system. “We will complete every commitment mentioned in our manifesto,” she said, adding that Delhi’s roads will be repaired “wall to wall” in a systematic and planned manner. Gupta underlined that development works cannot be completed overnight and are being carried out in a phased way.Highlighting the government’s push for clean mobility, Gupta said the aim is to move public transport entirely to electric vehicles. She noted that the target of increasing the number of electric buses in Delhi is being steadily achieved. The CM also announced a key financial decision, saying the Delhi government has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), making it its official banking and financial agent. Under the arrangement, RBI will help the government raise low-interest loans from the market for capital expenditure. “Now, no work in Delhi will be stalled due to a shortage of budget,” Gupta said. She added that the management of surplus funds will also be handled by the RBI. According to her, Rs 15,000 crore has already been credited to a public account, which will be used for the capital expenditure of the state.Targeting the AAP, Gupta alleged that the party is uncomfortable with a woman leading the state and accused its leaders of selectively editing her speeches and circulating misleading videos. She said there is a difference between an inadvertent slip of the tongue and making false statements deliberately before the public. Gupta further alleged that past actions and remarks by AAP leaders, including comments made in the Assembly and alleged insults to Sikh Gurus, were done consciously and not by mistake.The remarks came on the final day of the winter session of the Delhi Assembly, which was extended by one day following disruptions over alleged remarks by AAP leader and former Chief Minister Atishi Marlena.
