Multiple authorities cause delay in implementing policies: Dikshit

New Delhi, Nov 24 (UNI) Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit today said the inordinate delays in implementing policy initiatives was due to the existence of multiple authorities in the city.

''Multiple authorities are the biggest bane that thwarted any concerted, coordinated and long-term planning or developmental effort. Delays are happening in alleviation of problems faced by the citizens in the national capital due to this,'' Ms Dikshit said at the inaugural session of the National Seminar on 'Urban Governance in the Context of Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission'.

Describing the Capital as a unique city-state, the Chief Minister said Delhi is facing multifarious challenges and responsibilities.

Referring to various reports, which recommend empowering the Delhi Government, Ms Dikshit said multiple authorities are the ''biggest bottleneck'' in achieving developmental goals.

''Any successful plan for sustainable development of the Capital will have to take into consideration the twin issues of urban infrastructure development and an organised and humane solution to the problem of slums and jhuggis in the Capital, housing about four million people,'' she added.

''These are the two most important dictums of development in the city and the two are not mutually antagonistic as is generally perceived and propagated by groups with vested interests,'' she said.

The Chief Minister stressed that development could not exclude one segment of the society to provide for another.

''Any effective policy initiatives has to take into consideration interests of all sections of the society,'' she adde.

The problem of housing, especially for the people of the weaker sections, is one of the biggest challenges for any Government and its plan or policy, Ms Dikshit observed.

''The Government has decided to construct 40,000 low cost flats for industrial workers under a time-bound programme,'' she announced.

Describing Bhagidari as a process that aimed at empowering people, the Chief Minister said Government intended to create a system where the citizens could not only provide a feedback on Government policies but also help formulate and monitor them.

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