Working as Delhi's 'mukhya sevika' to provide best infra: CM Gupta in her first I-Day speech
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In her maiden Independence Day speech , chief minister Rekha Gupta on Friday outlined her government's progress in the first six months and pledged to rejuvenate the Yamuna river, provide the country's best infrastructure in Delhi, open Atal canteens offering meals at Rs 5 to the needy, and set up a welfare board for gig workers.In her first appearance as chief minister at Delhi's Independence Day function, Gupta hoisted the tricolor at the Chhatrasal Stadium and presented the President's Correctional Service Medal to three prison officials.Amid heavy downpour, Gupta, in her address, called herself the "mukhya sevika" of Delhi and asserted that the BJP government will work to free the city from filth, corruption, and red tape.The chief minister presented her government's roadmap for a cleaner, greener, and more developed Delhi, highlighting key initiatives in infrastructure, housing, education, sports, youth welfare, and healthcare."As we move towards 100 years of freedom, our pledge is to take every street, every neighbourhood, and every citizen's life to new heights," she statedEmphasising that she did not want to make any big promises or announcements, Gupta said her endeavours were directed towards what the common people in Delhi aspired for - a better life.She paid tribute to the nation's freedom fighters and hailed the armed forces for the success of Operation Sindoor. Veteran freedom fighter and a member of the Indian National Army (INA), Rangaswamy Madhavan Pillai, 99, was felicitated by Gupta at the function.Calling Delhi the heart of the country and the Yamuna river the "soul" of the city, the chief minister noted that the BJP government was working for the national capital's rejuvenation through multiple interventions."I don't just promise but pledge to rejuvenate the Yamuna. Several promises were made in the past to clean the Yamuna, but little was achieved," she said.Gupta assured that the Yamuna will be clean enough for citizens to see the sun's reflection in its waters, and people will feel happy to perform veneration on its banks.Announcing that her government is going to open Atal canteens on the birth anniversary of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Gupta stated that meals will be provided to the needy for Rs 5, including daily wagers and workers in the city.She assured welfare steps for the poor and stated that her government will come up with a welfare board for the gig workers in the city.The chief minister also highlighted her government's efforts to provide permanent houses to slum dwellers of the city.Noting that her government was working to repair the city's roads, which had been in a state of neglect, Gupta added that the issue of waterlogging during rains was being addressed through the desilting of drains, among other measures.She claimed that this year, rainwater drained off rapidly from the roads and highways due to the efforts of the last six months.The BJP returned to power in Delhi after 27 years, winning the assembly polls held in February this year. Gupta, along with her cabinet ministers, took the oath as chief minister on February 20.Assuring that Delhi would soon be the city of dreams, she asserted that the BJP government was committed to providing Delhi with the best infrastructure in the country.Highlighting the achievements of her government, Gupta said the Delhi Assembly recently passed a bill to regulate fees of private schools, and her government will ensure that parents don't face financial burdens due to arbitrary fee hikes.Gupta informed that five major hospital expansion projects will be inaugurated in August, adding 1,300 new beds, modern OPDs, and advanced medical equipment to the healthcare infrastructure. Furthermore, 28 hospitals have been assigned new medical superintendents, and 1,500 nurses have been given permanent appointments, she said.Her government aims to set up 1,100 arogya mandirs (wellness centres), of which 166 have already been completed, she said.The chief minister emphasised that her government had promised to provide the highest rewards to medal winners in the Olympics and Commonwealth Games."For the first time, we will ensure job security for the youth who contribute to the growth and development of sports in Delhi," she added.Gupta said that, with the support of the Central government, nearly 400 kilometres of Metro network have been completed, carrying 50 lakh passengers daily, and new Metro lines are being rapidly constructed.The chief minister concluded her address, saying she had more to convey but had to wrap up for the sake of the children getting drenched in the stadium.Later, she went out onto the stadium ground to meet and greet the marching contingents amid the rain without an umbrella, and interacted with schoolchildren as well as personnel from the Delhi Police and Fire Services.
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