VAT rollback is just a lollipop: Malhotra
28 May 2012 2:38 PM IST
Senior BJP leader and Leader of Opposition in Delhi Legislative Assembly, Vijay Kumar Malhotra, is deeply pained by infighting in the party. He was not only the founder member of Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) and its student wing Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarathi Parishad (ABVP), but also erstwhile Jan Sangh. In an exclusive interview with Siddheshwar Shukla he shares his views on several political issues concerned with the life of Delhites. Edited excerpts:
What would be your strategy in the Assembly starting this Monday?
We have two major issues this time - petrol price hike and scarcity of water and power supply in the city. People of Delhi are forced to live without power and water in the scorching summer. Every year before summer Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit assures people of adequate arrangement of power and water.
But people have to suffer always. We will raise this issue in the house.
Whom do you blame for power and water shortage ?
The government's ill-planning, inefficiency and profiteering of private companies. The private power distributing companies, in connivance with the government, are engaged in profiteering. They sell power to neighbouring states at higher rates and do unplanned powercuts in Delhi. Bawana power plant is not operational yet.
As far as water is concerned, the government did not make sincere efforts to get Munak Canal functional and corrupt officers are hand in glove with water mafias. Even the water supplied by Delhi Jal Board (DJB) has traces of carcinogenic elements like arsenic and sulphur.
The government is extending PPP model of water distribution in Nangloi Water Treatment Plant area. Your take?
Privatisation has failed in Delhi. People are paying three times more for electricity, but supply is poor in the city. The government, in connivance with discoms, has raised the electricity bill in the name of fuel surcharge. Privatisation always leads to profiteering and it is not in the interest of consumers.
The government claims it is not privatising, and the private partner would merely be a service provider?
It's the same thing. It will not benefit people.
Would you raise the issue in this assembly session?
No, we are studying the entire project and then [we will] take a stand on it.
What would you demand from Sheila Dikshit on petrol price hike issue?
The Chief Minister has announced rollback of VAT from increased price of petrol, which is just a lollipop. We demand complete rollback of VAT from petrol like Goa, which will give a relief of around Rs 14 to consumers.
All the three corporations in the city accused the government of apathy and demand grants from government. Are you planning to raise this issue as well?
We have not planned to raise this issue this time. The government has handicapped the corporations. We are studying the provisions of Panchayati Raj for distribution of fund between state and corporations and raise the issue at appropriate time. The government must give grants to corporations as recommended by finance commission.
Will you welcome Jaya Prada in BJP?
Let her apply first, then the party will decide.
What are the BJP-ruled states doing to curb petrol price?
Goa has completely done away with VAT on petrol. Other states are also trying to curb petrol prices.
What is the worst thing about Delhi?
Unplanned development.
What is the best thing in Delhi?
The heritage of the city and its multi-cultural society.
Which was the best moment in your entire political career?
When I became Chief Executive Councillor- CEC (equivalent to Chief Minister) in 1967, it was the best moment of my life.
What was the worst thing you remember in your entire political career?
The infighting and leg pulling in the party is the worst thing for me. It was never in BJP earlier days and started just a couple of years ago. I am the only living leader of the party who has been the founder member of Jansangh, ABVP and BJP.
What is your political aspiration?
I have achieved what I wanted. I became CEC of Delhi.
What is your favourite pastime?
Reading books, playing sudoku and chess.
Which is your favourite tourist destination?
I used to visit Dalhousie (in Dharamsala) regularly, but couldn't make it in the last couple of years.
What would be your priority if elected to power?
Providing a corruption-free government and eradicating problems like power, water, inflation, pollution in Yamuna, and resettlement of unauthorised colonies.
What would be your strategy in the Assembly starting this Monday?
We have two major issues this time - petrol price hike and scarcity of water and power supply in the city. People of Delhi are forced to live without power and water in the scorching summer. Every year before summer Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit assures people of adequate arrangement of power and water.
But people have to suffer always. We will raise this issue in the house.
Whom do you blame for power and water shortage ?
The government's ill-planning, inefficiency and profiteering of private companies. The private power distributing companies, in connivance with the government, are engaged in profiteering. They sell power to neighbouring states at higher rates and do unplanned powercuts in Delhi. Bawana power plant is not operational yet.
As far as water is concerned, the government did not make sincere efforts to get Munak Canal functional and corrupt officers are hand in glove with water mafias. Even the water supplied by Delhi Jal Board (DJB) has traces of carcinogenic elements like arsenic and sulphur.
The government is extending PPP model of water distribution in Nangloi Water Treatment Plant area. Your take?
Privatisation has failed in Delhi. People are paying three times more for electricity, but supply is poor in the city. The government, in connivance with discoms, has raised the electricity bill in the name of fuel surcharge. Privatisation always leads to profiteering and it is not in the interest of consumers.
The government claims it is not privatising, and the private partner would merely be a service provider?
It's the same thing. It will not benefit people.
Would you raise the issue in this assembly session?
No, we are studying the entire project and then [we will] take a stand on it.
What would you demand from Sheila Dikshit on petrol price hike issue?
The Chief Minister has announced rollback of VAT from increased price of petrol, which is just a lollipop. We demand complete rollback of VAT from petrol like Goa, which will give a relief of around Rs 14 to consumers.
All the three corporations in the city accused the government of apathy and demand grants from government. Are you planning to raise this issue as well?
We have not planned to raise this issue this time. The government has handicapped the corporations. We are studying the provisions of Panchayati Raj for distribution of fund between state and corporations and raise the issue at appropriate time. The government must give grants to corporations as recommended by finance commission.
Will you welcome Jaya Prada in BJP?
Let her apply first, then the party will decide.
What are the BJP-ruled states doing to curb petrol price?
Goa has completely done away with VAT on petrol. Other states are also trying to curb petrol prices.
What is the worst thing about Delhi?
Unplanned development.
What is the best thing in Delhi?
The heritage of the city and its multi-cultural society.
Which was the best moment in your entire political career?
When I became Chief Executive Councillor- CEC (equivalent to Chief Minister) in 1967, it was the best moment of my life.
What was the worst thing you remember in your entire political career?
The infighting and leg pulling in the party is the worst thing for me. It was never in BJP earlier days and started just a couple of years ago. I am the only living leader of the party who has been the founder member of Jansangh, ABVP and BJP.
What is your political aspiration?
I have achieved what I wanted. I became CEC of Delhi.
What is your favourite pastime?
Reading books, playing sudoku and chess.
Which is your favourite tourist destination?
I used to visit Dalhousie (in Dharamsala) regularly, but couldn't make it in the last couple of years.
What would be your priority if elected to power?
Providing a corruption-free government and eradicating problems like power, water, inflation, pollution in Yamuna, and resettlement of unauthorised colonies.
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