Focusing on the ever-increasing housing and medical needs of Delhiites, particularly the weaker sections, the Bharatiya Janata Party on Wednesday released its Delhi-specific manifesto promising accommodation and healthcare facilities for all.
Employment, skill development, reduction in power and water tariff and control on rising prices are the other key features of the manifesto. Also, in view of the increasing cases of violence against people from the North-East, the party said a special cell would be set up in police stations, besides providing a helpline number to register complaints. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) also promised to bring the police, Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and other land-owning agencies under one roof to streamline governance by according full statehood to Delhi. The manifesto was released at a function attended by senior Delhi BJP leaders and all seven candidates of the party.
To meet the housing needs of Delhiites, the BJP has promised one lakh flats every year for people belonging to the middle income group, while for slum dwellers it has promised to build flats at the place where they exist. “Unauthorised colonies shall be regularised and open to registration. They will be developed like DDA colonies and the layout fund for development will be provided by the Delhi Government,” said Delhi BJP president Harsh Vardhan.
“The BJP will launch the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Jan-Punarvas Yojana for in-situ construction of multi-storied houses for slum dwellers. Till such time, no shacks will be removed and the occupants will be provided subsidised power and other basic amenities,” he added.
The BJP also promised to provide health facilities to all with the launch of Universal Health Insurance and trauma centres in all districts. The BJP promised to re-implement the Essential Drugs Policy, under which 25 types of medicines would be provided free to each citizen of Delhi throughout their lifetime. To ensure that generic medicines are available at affordable prices, the BJP said it would open fair price medical stores in the Capital. It also proposed to invest 30 per cent of the health budget for promotion of preventive healthcare and setting up of OPDs for health facilities in economically weaker section colonies.
Vardhan reiterated the BJP’s promise made before the Assembly election that power tariff would be reduced by 30 per cent by promoting competition among private power distribution companies. He said the discoms will be brought under the purview of the RTI Act and CAG. On the issue of combating corruption, Vardhan said there is a need to have laws like Jan lokpal, but the party would strengthen the institution of lokayukta. Moreover, an accountability commission will also be established for ensuring efficient use of public money, Vardhan said.
Emphasizing on the safety of women in the Capital, Vardhan said fast track courts would be set up to deal with heinous crimes against women and senior citizens, besides the Government would open more hostels for working women. “A fast track justice commission will be set up to look into the evening courts and other effective means for the speedy disposal of cases,” he added.
The BJP also promised to constitute a Supreme Court-monitored Special Investigation Team (SIT) to ensure speedy justice for the 1984 anti-Sikh riot victims. The party termed the SIT ordered by the erstwhile AAP Government in Delhi as ‘fraud’ saying the involvement of Delhi Police and CBI officials in the SIT would not allow fair probe into the matter.