IANS INTERVIEW: Rekha Gupta Unveils Plan for Delhi’s Revitalization, Yamuna Restoration; Cautions Schools on Fee Increases

New Delhi, April 18 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of Delhi, Rekha Gupta, has outlined her administration’s strategy for tackling the city’s air pollution, revitalizing the Yamuna River, and has also highlighted an impending strict regulation aimed at controlling the practices of private educational institutions that violate guidelines.

In a candid interview with IANS, Rekha Gupta criticized the previous AAP government for leaving the city in disarray, condemned West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for the violence related to the Waqf issues, and accused the Gandhis of corruption tied to the National Herald.

Here’s the complete conversation:

IANS: Numerous parents have raised concerns about the unjustified fee increases implemented by private schools. What measures will you take to ensure that students and their families are not adversely affected by these schools' actions?

Rekha Gupta: Our administration adheres to a zero-tolerance policy against arbitrary fee hikes in private schools. We will not tolerate any form of mistreatment of teachers or students, and those responsible will face severe consequences.

There is a mandated educational framework in Delhi that all schools must follow, and strict compliance with these regulations is essential.

We have dispatched show-cause notices to the institutions we have received complaints about, making it clear that such conduct is intolerable, and they risk derecognition.

Our government is working on enacting robust legislation to combat these malpractices. All educational institutions must comply with the law, or they may lose their operational rights within the city.

IANS: What was Prime Minister Narendra Modi's reaction when you first met him after assuming office? Did he offer any advice on governance?

Rekha Gupta: PM Modi congratulated me, bestowed his blessings, and expressed sincere wishes for my tenure. His backing is invaluable to me. He emphasized that Delhi, being the nation’s capital, should not diverge from the overall growth trajectory of the country.

I am thankful for the opportunity to collaborate with him on the city's development.

IANS: The Enforcement Directorate has filed charges against the Gandhis. What is your perspective on this? Also, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal has remained silent. What’s your take?

Rekha Gupta: Arvind Kejriwal engages in politics that suits his interests. He may align with any ideology, only to later distance himself and reshape alliances.

He can profess concern for the children yet perform a complete turnaround.

However, actions carry consequences. The Gandhi family must be accountable for their involvement with the National Herald.

IANS: With the Waqf Act leading to violence in Bengal, does this indicate a failure of Mamata Banerjee's government? Has she not met expectations?

Rekha Gupta: This is deeply regrettable. If the state is engulfed in violence targeting a specific community, and the Chief Minister appears to be favoring a particular group, it signifies her failure.

For a female Chief Minister, such a scenario is profoundly shameful.

IANS: Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently hosted a high-level meeting focused on the Yamuna clean-up, of which you were a part. What initiatives will your government undertake, especially concerning Chhath Puja?

Rekha Gupta: An extensive dialogue took place regarding all aspects of the Yamuna River, from its source at Yamunotri to Prayagraj. A comprehensive plan is being devised to fulfill this goal.

IANS: Critics allege that Delhi has been experiencing power outages since your administration took over. They even share images of candlelit dinners to mock the government. How do you respond?

Rekha Gupta: Let them relish their candlelight dinners. They excel at storytelling, as well as creating stories.

Fabricating narratives is their forte, aimed at drawing public attention.

There is no energy crisis in the city. The populace is pleased with our governance, and we haven’t received any grievances.

IANS: Delhi continues to struggle with elevated levels of air pollution. This alarming situation has even been acknowledged by a Union Minister.

Rekha Gupta: The high pollution levels in Delhi are undeniable. This predicament stems from the inaction of prior administrations.

Our government is still in its early days. We are dedicated to enhancing the city’s air quality and green spaces. We aim to manage vehicular emissions and advocate for the use of electric vehicles.

Our strategy is markedly different from those that came before. Previous governments sought quick fixes, whereas we are developing a detailed annual plan to combat this issue.

The annual plan will emphasize the deployment of sprinklers year-round to reduce dust and regulate vehicle emissions by encouraging a shift to electric vehicles.

IANS: Arvind Kejriwal had frequent conflicts with bureaucrats. You will need to collaborate with the same team. How do you plan to approach this?

Rekha Gupta: Bureaucrats and officials are eager to contribute. It’s up to the head of government to delegate responsibilities and motivate them.

In the previous administration, both the Delhi L-G and the Centre were supportive, but the leaders preferred to shift blame rather than accept responsibility.

IANS: Recently, you and Rahul Gandhi shared the same platform, and videos of the event circulated on social media. He seemed uneasy. What are your thoughts on that?

Rekha Gupta: Everyone has their own demeanor. The public is well aware of it. As Delhi's Chief Minister, it is my duty to respect and honor everyone, which I did.

IANS: As a first-time Chief Minister, what are your primary objectives and hurdles?

Rekha Gupta: There are numerous challenges, including damaged roads, overflowing drains, and inadequate drainage and sewerage systems.

The previous administration left the national capital in disarray, bringing it to the brink of collapse. Our government is committed to restoring the city to a path of rapid growth and returning it to its former glory.