Letter to the Chief Minister of Delhi

Dear Chief Minister Ji,

I hope that this email finds you in best of health.

I am writing this email to congratulate you on nearing the completion of 6 months in office by your government. The last 160 days of journey has been through thick and thin. Many commoners (including me) believed that your government has taken some crucial steps which have helped the people of Delhi. However, then there are also people (who admire you) who have said that the Government of Delhi could have lived up to their expectation in a far better way.

Almost, all of us have gone through the TV Ad's, Newspaper Ad's, Hoardings in the city and other forms of advertisement made by your government. While the advertisement is informative on the actions and steps taken by your government in the last 160 days, but I believe that it at the same time a costly affair. With the increase in frequency of ad's it has started ringing bells in my mind that is it still the 'Aam Aadmi Ki Sarkar' which the people voted for. I am certain that the amount spend on these TV ad's could have been better utilized (May be in paying the amount due to the 3 Discoms in Delhi; or May be to install some roof top solar panels on Government Building; or May be in deputing some female commandos in Delhi as a step towards security). I have always believed that Success of any Government is measured by which people living under the government say and not what the TV Ad's or the News paper Ad's say.

I am not writing this mail to highlight to you your short-comings. I also intend to share with you some of the suggestions (mentioned below) which I feel that the government would like to act up on to make Delhi a harmonious place to stay:

1. The Government plans to launch Wi-Fi in all Rural Areas. There is an interesting data which I would like to share with you: 56% Children living in Slums and un-authorized colonies defecate in the open due to lack of Community Toilets (Source: Hindustan Times). In my opinion, these Rural Areas need Toilets more than Wi-Fi.
   
2. The launch of E-District Service deserves a round of applause. At Home Ministry of Delhi level, the data coming out of it should be analyzed atleast on a half-yearly level. May be the trend analysis can help us predict and catch-hold of the corrupt to prevent corruption at a faster rate
   
3. The government plans to give subsidy to the owners of newly purchased Battery operated 4 wheelers and 2 wheelers vehicle: I think the government should rather invest in the Automobile Labs of Engineering Colleges in Delhi and let students make and design Battery Run Vehicles which can be used to commute within the offices in Delhi. All the vehicles which the students will make will be procured by Govt. of Delhi.

I feel a good government is one which measures the progress in terms of target achievement rather than monitoring the money spend on any initiative. Going forward, while announcing our Annual Budget for Delhi, if we can also share the target for each line-item, I am certain that the people of Delhi will like you more for that.

With a hope that some of my suggestions and feedback will be acted upon. 

With Best Wishes,

Varinder Singh

Delhi