Direct cash transfer scheme a 'bribe to voters': Kejriwal

Ghaziabad: Land acquisition and corruption will be among a string of issues to be highlighted by Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which on Tuesday described the UPA government's decision to launch direct cash transfer scheme as a "bribe to voters".

After a two-day meeting of AAP's National Executive which took several decisions about future plans, Kejriwal also said the expose on corruption will continue even as it will target price rise and power issue in the national capital.

Commenting on the cash transfer scheme, he said the scheme may end up in stopping "some leakages" but on several counts it is not desirable. "The timing is questionable. This is a way of giving bribe to voters," he told reporters when asked about the government's decision to launch its new flagship programme of direct cash transfer from January 1 next year.

He said the scheme may end up in stopping \"some leakages\" but on several counts it is not desirable.

Though it would stop some leakages, he said the decision raises several questions. He said the rationale is wrong in ending public distribution system and giving cash to people. "You end ration and give them cash. This does not take into account price rise," he said.

On the issues to be taken by his party, Kejriwal said land acquisition, corruption, ensuring fair price for farmers, labour issues, including that of contract labour, will be high on priority. "In Delhi, we will raise price rise and power related issues," he said.

Kejriwal said the party will form district committees in 337 districts of the 15 states by January 26 and committees at state-level by mid-February. The formation of district committees will be taken up after January 26.

National Executive member Gopal Rai said from December 10, the party will reach out to every household in the capital seeking their response on various issues. "We will start our Jan Sampark programme from December 10," he said.

The National Executive also formed a Political Affairs Committee in which Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, Sanjay Singh, Yogendra Yadav, Illyas Azmi, Gopal Rai and Prashant Bhushan are members. It also decided that Sisodia and Anand Kumar will be the chief spokespersons for the party while Yadav and Kumar will also coordinate with 25 sub-committees which are looking into various subjects.

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