Six of the most “lawyer-relevant” changes the AAP has promised to make

With the Aam Aadmi Party’s unprecedented win in the Delhi Legislative Assembly elections, the capital of the country is sure to see some interesting times in the near future. And if the promises made in the AAP’s manifesto are anything to go by, the AAP is going to push for a host of far-reaching changes..Now the promises mentioned in the manifesto cut across a whole range of social and economic issues. So you have promises to eradicate dengue from the city, as well as plans to set up new schools, hospitals and regularise colonies..We pick six of the most “lawyer-relevant” promises of the AAP manifesto..1. Full statehood for Delhi.One of the party’s biggest plans is to secure full statehood for Delhi, effectively bringing the Delhi Development Authority, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi under their authority. Moreover, subjects like police and law and order, currently managed by the Central Government, would also come under their ambit. Given Prime Minister Modi’s assurance of “complete support”, it will be interesting to see what happens to this proposal..2. Pass the Delhi Jan Lokpal Bill.Based on an idea conceptualised by Anna Hazare and India Against Corruption, the Jan Lokpal Bill was one of the biggest platforms for AAP in the last Delhi Assembly elections. Projected as a piece of legislation that will put paid to the scourge of corruption in India, the Bill mandates public officials to disclose assets, embodies a “zero tolerance” approach towards corruption, and also mandates a timebound investigation of corruption against public officials..3. Pass the Swaraj Act.The other big-ticket legislation proposed by the AAP is the Swaraj Act, aimed at de-centralising power. The Act will establish “Mohalla Sabhas”, local self-government institutions that will oversee processes such as the grant of birth, death, caste and income certificates. Given that Kejriwal’s party has a 67 to 3 majority in the Legislative Assembly, the passage of such a Bill is unlikely to see any real opposition. For an inkling on what the Swaraj Act could contain, see Kejriwal’s interview below..4. Reduce crimes against women.One of the other significant issues relates to women’s safety in the capital. And in this regard, the AAP has made an impressive list of promises, including operationalising the 47 fast track courts it had sanctioned in January last year to exclusively try cases of violence against women. The AAP has also promised the implementation of all recommendations of the Justice Verma Committee..5. Amend existing laws .There are a host of changes promised by the AAP when it comes to modifying or amending existing statutes. Some of them are broad, for instance, changing the “labor unfriendly” provisions of the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act of 1970, or widening the definition of “disability” in the Persons with Disability (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act of 1995..The AAP manifesto also seeks to annul specific provisions of the Delhi Land Reform Act, namely S. 33, which prevents farmers from selling their lands, and S.81, which makes a farmer liable to be ejected for using the land ‘in contravention of the provisions’ of the Act..6. Changes within the judicial system.And it is not specific laws alone that the AAP seeks to change, but the manner in which cases are fought as well. For instance, the manifesto states that no adjournments will be taken in cases where the Delhi government is a litigant. If executed, this will be one of the most effective ways to fight delays. There is more. The manifesto also says that the party will provide “affordable housing” for government counsels..But perhaps the most significant proposal of all is that concerning the video-recording of court proceedings. After gathering a fair bit of momentum a few years ago, the demand for recordings of court proceedings had died a quiet death. With the AAP coming back to power, and the manifesto clearly stating that they would implement video recordings, this may well become reality.