The Delhi Government plans to create regular/permanent jobs for those engaged in need-based work of 365 days, as well as set up 25 more “world class” skill centres, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced during his Independence Day speech here on Tuesday.

Greeting the people of the Capital on the occasion, the Chief Minister said there was need to make citizens “smart” first and then think of making “smart cities” and “smart villages”, which can only be done by providing them better education, proper healthcare facilities, imparting skill education and inculcating in them a feeling of patriotism.

“Thereafter, the villages and cities will automatically become smart,” Kejriwal was quoted in an official release.

Hitting out at labour contractors, the Chief Minister warned them against siphoning the wages of the labour and provide them minimum wages as per rule.

“The Chief Minister said that Delhi government is planning to create regular/permanent jobs for the labour engaged in need-based work of 365 days.”, the release added.

Kejriwal also highlighted that the Delhi Government was the first in the country to come out with “a comprehensive outcome Budget 2017-18”, which, he claimed would “prove to be a milestone in bringing openness and accountability in public spending.”

In the past 70 years, “we have achieved a lot; however, a lot more remains to be accomplished. The world is changing fast, new challenges are emerging… This solemn occasion is the time for all of us to reflect upon how each of us can contribute to the cause of building our great nation in our unique way,” he said.

Kejriwal, who is national convenor of the Aam Aadmi Party, also expressed concern over the “hatred prevailing in society in the name of religion, caste, and creed,” adding that this was “weakening our society and was against the spirit of the Constitution.”