Category: Swarna Bharat Party

There are some tricky jurisdictional issues about Delhi that come into the picture, as well. These will need to be better understood. However, I had done some thinking around this issue some time earlier, so I’m noting these points for ready reference. I’d like to add that I’m not committed to these being the ten top reforms, and am open to being persuaded about more promising reforms for Delhi. The manifesto of the Swarna Bharat Party will contain a more comprehensive package, but this is a preliminary list of top 10 reforms.

1. Change in the departmental structure and bureaucratic management to ensure accountability

Without making the bureaucracy accountable, NOTHING can be achieved. This reform will not be as comprehensive as that detailed in SKC agenda. But much can be done directly by the Delhi government. The reform includes combining departments into a few large departments, each headed by a Super Secretary to the Government. The Super Secretary of each department – who will supervise all IAS and other officials in the departments – would be appointed on a contract of three years in the first instance at a salary of around Rs.75 lakhs per annum. Such Super-Secretaries would be eligible for a performance bonus of up to Rs 25 lakhs per annum for meeting their performance contract, which would include tight control over corruption and the delivery of high quality services. Such persons would be recruited from the open market. Any IAS officer wishing to be considered for such a role would need to resign upon appointment to such a position.

This reform will ensure hassle free interaction with government offices, e.g. licensing (RTO), water and electricity departments, etc. As accountability dramatically increases, corruption will dramatically decrease.

This will involve a radical increase in the level of transparency. The Super Secretary will be required (through KPIs) to pro-actively publish data related to government activities along with expenditure records (such as details about each road or park).

2. Drastic increase in the number of necessary jobs

This change would take around three years to implement, but after that there should be no possibility of any black money in any real estate transaction. This will also include complete overhaul of the developer system to ensure that the mafia that currently operate in this sector are brought to book.

4. Dramatic change in the school system to ensure that the poorest of the poor start receiving high quality education

This would involve full implementation of details outlined in the SKC agenda. This would take around 3-4 years to implement, given the significant change involved. In the meanwhile, great focus would be given to improving teacher quality. This will ensure that all schools have decent infrastructure, e.g. toilets, library, furniture, etc.

5. Radical improvement in the water supply and sewage system

This will involve either implementing incentives in the government water undertaking for performance, or if that’s not possible, then entirely privatising the system through public tender and bringing it under regulatory control. Supply will be provided at a regulated cost that takes into account future infrastructure needs. Unauthorised habitations will also be provided water – at cost. Temporary Infrastructure will be built as matters of property rights are resolved (these matters can take around four to five years to resolve, after the land system is entirely modernised). Sewage management will be professionalised, as well, with appropriate incentives.

6. Radical improvement in the electricy system

This will involve more intense regulation, and ensuring that incentives are aligned with desired outcomes. Supply will be provided on payment.

7. Transport system to be revamped entirely

In particular, focus will shift towards managing the demand side through appropriate congestion levy. The taxi and auto markets will be fully liberalised, and bus competition will be increased through innovative models such as kerb rights allocation. Supply side improvements will also be undertaken to the extent these are cost effective.

8. Revamp of agriculture

The APMC acts will be abolished and farmers in and around Delhi freed from the requirement to sell in mandis. This will allow for competition in the wholesale sector, In the long run, proper wholesale produce markets will be established.

9. Drastic reduction in unnecessary business regulation

Delhi will be made the most business friendly city in India by drastically eliminating all unnecessary regulation, and ensuring that all modern techniques are implemented to make it easy to do business in Delih. Under no circumstances will innovative technologies like Uber be prevented from operating in Delhi. [I request the PHD chamber of commerce and other industry associations to provide their business improvements suggestions for Delhi]

10. Radical modernisation fo the health system

Delhi does not exercise control over many of the large hospitals in Delhi. However, the SKC agenda will be implemented in Delhi to the extent possible, and all means of increasing competition in the health sector considered and implemented.

In addition, overall administration will DRAMATICALLY improve and corruption will reduce even more dramatically, almost to be come non-existent in three years.

DESIRABLE BUT CAN’T BE DONE BECAUSE DELHI IS NOT A FULL STATE

1. Electoral reforms as outlned in SKC agenda

2 Change in the local government system as outlined in SKC agenda

3. Full reform of the justice system

4. Rezoning of lands to allow high rise residential buildings within 20 kilometres of Connought Place (subject to aircraft clearance requirements)

5. Elimination of poverty as outlined in the SKC agenda

6. Security: Although the Delhi Government does not have Delhi Police under it’s control, the Delhi government can cover all public places with world-class CCTV infrastructure with active remote monitoring. In addition a citizens’ volunteer force can be organised to help people report crime.

Swarna Bharat Party, India's national liberal party, is nearing registration. Created on 1 June 2013, papers were lodged with ECI in July. Then, based on the requirements, an advertisement was placed in a number of papers seeking objections. Thereafter a detailed meeting took place with ECI on 5 February 2014. Finally, a slightly amended constitution and various other documents were provided on 5 March 2014.

Now, we are beginning the process of shortlisting National Executive members.

Subject to agreement of the President (Dipinder Sekhon) I expect to take on the official role of Honorary Vice President of the party (there will be many Vice Presidents). SBP allows OCIs to take become members but not pay any fee (OCIs can join only on an exception basis).

In anticipation of SBP registration, I'm commencing the process of seeking expressions of interest from ALL LIBERALS of India (who are either in an existing liberal party or have not yet joined any party) to join the National Executive of this party. 

SBP is committed to very significant levels of transparency. A few key selling points are attached. We should aim to build a party that India needs and can be proud of, for the long haul. While we would aim to contest in 2014 subject to registration by ECI in the next few days, we should think of the next 500 years.

The duration of the membership of the Initial National Executive of SBP is one year, under Article 9a of the SBP Constitution. The initial NE membership will be unelected (as specified clearly in the Constitution) and will not be able to be fully representative of the entire country.

The current prescribed fee for National Executive members is Rs.1 lakh (payable in advance) but for the unelected initial NE members, I'd like to bring this fee down to around Rs. 20,000 (to be finalised in consultation with the shortlisted NE members).

Either way, please expect to pay a reasonable amount to join in such a senior role, which is going to guide India in the coming year. Only OCIs (like me) don't have to pay (in fact, should not pay – it being prohibited under the law). But I will contribute in many other ways, as I've done for the past many years.

I do expect those who take the role of NE members to be ACTIVE in spreading and building the party. This is not a decorative role. They should also be very active on email/internet. We are not going to physically meet except perhaps once a year.

Procedure

I will compile the list of those who have express interest and – in consultation with relevant party members – will offer a membership (and office bearer role, if so considered desirable) to the shortlisted members. Others who apply will definitely be accommodated in other ways. We have HUNDREDS of positions/roles in mind.

In addition to NE members, we'll soon need hundreds of others, such as State level executive members and others. Details of various committees are provided in the Constitution, attached. At the moment, I'm ONLY seeking to build the National Executive. 

Please write to me at sabhlok@gmail.com. 

I look forward to your contribution in building something India NEEDS and will be proud of. We are not hooligans like AAP, nor corrupt like Congress and BJP, and we want system change. We'll build a party that is systematic and transparent, that we can offer to our children and grandchildren with pride.