Delhi Chief MInister Arvind Kejriwal. (Press Trust of India photo)
The Aam Aadmi Party-led Delhi government today completed 100 days in office, a period marked by its ongoing bitter tussle with the Lt Governor, a split in the party and implementation of a number of its electoral promises, including reducing power tariff by 50 per cent and providing 20,000 litres of free water every month.
The government has planned a mega event at Central Park in the heart of national capital on Monday where the entire Delhi Cabinet will be present to highlight its achievements before the public.
In these 100 days, the AAP government re-launched the '1031' anti-corruption helpline, where people can lodge complaints against officials, to weed out graft and achieve its stated objective of making Delhi the country's first corruption-free state.
The Arvind Kejriwal government has also initiated the process of regularising unauthorised colonies while it banned demolition of jhuggis immediately after assuming office and held a series of special camps to provide licences to e-rickshaws.
A new body, Delhi Dialogue Commission, was created to implement the government's 70-point development agenda whereas 21 MLAs were appointed as Parliamentary Secretaries to assist in matters of governance.
On the administrative front, Mr Kejriwal had to settle for KK Sharma as the Chief Secretary as the Centre overruled his choice of Ramesh Negi.
A major conflict broke out as the Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung appointed Shakuntala Gamlin as the acting Chief Secretary when Mr Sharma went on a 10-day leave.
As Mr Kejriwal questioned the Lt Governor's authority and accused him of trying to take over the administration, the Union Home Ministry issued a notification in which it said that it is not essential for the Lieutenant Governor to consult the chief minister on matters like the appointment of key bureaucrats.
The AAP government has decided to call a two-day 'emergency' session of Delhi Assembly from Tuesday to deliberate on the notification.
The comment by the Chief Minister, who has repeatedly alleged "conspiracies" against the government, that there should be a "public trial" of the media evoked sharp criticism.
Later, the government also issued a circular on filing of defamation cases against media houses for publishing or broadcasting news that damages the reputation of the Chief Minister, the council of ministers or the government. The circular was stayed by Supreme Court.
In February, the AAP government had announced a 50 per cent subsidy on monthly power consumption of up to 400 units and 20,000 litres of free water per month to all households which would cost the exchequer around Rs 1,670 crore annually.
The free water scheme and power subsidy came into effect from March 1.
The period also saw expulsion of founder members Prashant Bhushan and Yogendra Yadav after differences with party leadership.