LG lists out govt achievements

New Delhi: The budget session of the Delhi Assembly commenced on Friday with the maiden address of Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena, who listed out various achievements of the government and hoped that the national capital become a progressive global city one day. His address was interrupted as BJP legislators raised slogans demanding Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's resignation over alleged corruption in the now-scrapped excise policy and AAP legislators opposing them. To bring order to the house,

Speaker Ram Niwas Goel marshalled out three BJP MLAs for interrupting the LG. Other party legislators too walked out of the assembly shortly after. Resuming his address, LG Saxena said Delhi students have performed well due to the government's focus on education. "The Schools of Specialised Excellence are world level schools for students. Mission Buniyad has led to significant improvement in learning capabilities of the students," he noted. Saxena also said the education infrastructure has improved in Delhi with around 20,000 new classrooms being constructed.

Talking about the health infrastructure, he said more than 16,000 beds will be added with new hospitals coming up, while the existing hospitals are being upgraded. He also said that the people of Delhi will be provided voter ID card-based health cards. Talking about the various initiatives of the transport department, he said people can avail 33 transport department related services online and 1,500 electric buses have been added to the DTC fleet. He said the government is committed towards a "green and lean" Delhi.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday said various hurdles were being put in the way of the city government but it was overcoming them to work for people. Talking to reporters after the conclusion of the first day of the budget session of Delhi Assembly, he said LG V K Saxena had also said that the government has been working despite various obstacles. "There is interference in the functioning of the government. Various obstacles are being put but we are crossing them and working with the support of the people of Delhi. Not only the people of Delhi but the entire country acknowledges this," Kejriwal said. While exiting the assembly, Saxena said in the last few days, the dignity of speech has been shattered. When Kejriwal was asked about the remarks, he said: "These are small things. Democracy should be respected. If two crore people have chosen a government, it should be allowed to work. It is not good to interfere in its functioning," he said.