Sheila inaugurates 40 projects in two weeks

Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit is in an overdrive to launch new projects before the model code of conduct comes into force for the assembly elections scheduled to be held in November.

Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit is in an overdrive to launch new projects before the model code of conduct comes into force for the assembly elections scheduled to be held in November.

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The chief minister has inaugurated over 40 projects within past two weeks and six more of them are on her itinerary in the coming two days.

The code of conduct restricts leaders from engaging in inaugurations and other social engagements. Politicians, however, try to use the weeks preceding that to make the most of it by announcing and launching new schemes/projects.

On Saturday, Dikshit inaugurated five projects at different places, including a community centre in northeast Delhi's Nand Nagri and Aapki Rasoi (free food for the poor and hungry) in east Delhi's Seemapuri.

According to sources, there is a lot of pressure to inaugurate several projects before the model code of conduct is in place and many MLAs and ministers have been seeking time from the chief minister for inaugurating projects in their constituencies.

Sources further said a large chunk of projects inaugurated by Dikshit included those which have a direct connect with the voters. "Keeping in mind the interest of the voters, most of the projects which are being inaugurated are either community centres, housing projects or schools. For instance on August 22, Diskhit inaugurated three school buildings and laid foundation stones for four more in Tri Nagar," said a senior leader.

Apart from inaugurating over 40 projects in two weeks, the chief minister made several announcements such as reducing power tariff, releasing human development report and getting the cabinet nod for setting up the Delhi children's academy. She has also laid the foundation stone for a hospital at Ambedkar Nagar.