Instead of framing measures to rescue Delhi from
unprecedented air pollution, for which the Indian capital has already earned
the dubious distinction of being the ‘most polluted capital city of the world,’
political parties are shamelessly announcing freebies to woo the electorate
ahead of the upcoming Assembly polls. The battle of promises and
counter-promises are simply vitiating the political atmosphere of the national
capital as political parties are no longer talking about good governance or
providing international-standard civic services to the citizens. The parties
are more interested in making promises to provide hefty amounts to the people
in an effort to lure the voters without revealing the source of funds to
fulfill their promises. The tactics adopted by the parties can easily be termed
as the modified version of ‘cash for vote,’ a practice prevailing in a couple
of Indian states clandestinely. It is high time the Election Commission (EC)
takes strict measures to stop political parties from making unsubstantial
promises that may pose threat to the entire financial set-up.
Delhi is perhaps the only union territory in India where
funds are easily available in comparison to other states by virtue of being the
capital city. The annual budget of the 42-square kilometre area of the New
Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) is a couple of times higher than the budget of
smaller Indian states. Further, the NDMC area, which houses most of the
high-profile people, enjoys a higher per capita share of water in comparison to
people living elsewhere in the city. Several such discriminations have
virtually divided Delhi into two parts- one belonging to the high and the
powerful, and the other provides shelter to those who come to the Capital to
make their fortunes.
Notwithstanding the attention it receives, civic amenities
in Delhi are in pathetic condition, to say the least. During the COVID-19
pandemic, the national capital witnessed a severe shortage of doctors,
medicine, beds and life-saving oxygen throughout, resulting in collapse of health
infrastructure and loss of lives. Victims had to be cremated on roads as there
was no space in the crematoriums. Delhi grapples with extreme air pollution
every winter while floods are not uncommon during the monsoon due to the poor
drainage system. Even the so-called posh areas of the city are inundated every
time it rains. So, before sounding the poll bugle, the political parties were
expected come up with comprehensive plans to get rid of the problems and
challenges faced by the people of Delhi. It is quite perplexing that none of
the major political parties have uttered a single word about these problems so
far. They will be mistaken if they think that they can hoodwink the people by
promising the moon. To garner public support, the political parties should draw
a proper roadmap for development of the national capital and its people.
