28.2.15

Delhi Dialogue Commission

Days after taking over the reins of Delhi, the AAP government has announced constitution of Delhi Dialogue Commission (DDC), a thinktank that is expected to implement the party's 70-point agenda of governance.
The state government's official website listed the focus areas of this new body on Friday. The commission is expected to “come up with new and big ideas, identify best practices and policies from around the world and translate them into concrete recommendations to the government...for transformative change“. It will have a well-oiled public feedback mechanism. The chief minister will lead this commission as its chairperson.
Announcing the cabinet decision to set up the panel, deputy CM Manish Sisodia said it would help bridge the gaps in governance and policy matters.
The government has decided to appoint AAP's incharge of the Delhi Dialogue initiative, Ashish Khetan, the vice-chairman of the panel. It will be based in the CM's office at the Delhi secretariat. However, the commission will initiate dialogues with task forces and the general public at other places as well. The commission can be reached at: ddc.delhi@gov.in A statement issued by the CM's office said, “As observed in Delhi in the past two decades, the vested interests of successive governments and their remoteness from their constituents ensured that the most fundamental needs of the people of Delhi have remained unaddressed--from issues such as clean drinking water, electricity and affordable housing to sanitation and employment, among others. An honest, accountable and responsive government seeks out people's participation, tapping into their immense potential to contribute to issues of governance.“
The commission will constitute task forces and committees on various subjects comprising experts, which will advise the government.Explaining the process, Khetan said the task forces will talk to stakeholders and prepare plans based on best practices from around the world. “For instance, we have assured Wi-Fi connectivity and CCTV cameras but through DDC we will look at the best possible way of executing it,“ Khetan added.

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