BJP offers cheap flour, 2-wheelers
MANIFESTO Pledges insurance, regular health care for ‘milch cattle’; special marketing system for sale of cow milk from indigenous breeds
NEWDELHI: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) promised bicycles and electric scooters to girls who stay in school and make it to college, wheat flour (instead of grain) at ~2 per kg to families from the economically weaker section (EWS), a new Yamuna riverfront, and insurance and health checkups for cows, in its poll manifesto released on Friday.
The BJP also promised a comprehensive strategy to combat air, noise and water pollution in “mission mode”. From installing air purifies at traffic junctions to setting up charging stations for electric vehicles, the party listed measures which it said will take to tackle air pollution, which has emerged as an annual health crisis in the winter months.
The Sankalp Patra (vision document) was silent on the subsidies in electricity and water bills currently given by the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which is seeking to stay in power in the national capital.
Releasing the party’s manifesto for the February 8 Delhi elections, Union road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari said that air and water pollution were two main concerns in the city.
The party’s 48-page vision document promised ~10,000 crore investment in infrastructure, 10,000 new buses, the creation of nine boards and commissions for the effective implementation of projects and welfare schemes for infrastructure development in unuathorised colonies and urbanised villages, and welfare schemes for traders and women.
It pledged insurance and regular health care for “milch cattle”, and a special marketing system for the sale of cow milk from indigenous breeds.
It also talked about starting a water-taxi service between Delhi and Ghaziabad at affordable rates and a “talent hunt” programme to identify capable young people.
While the party did not promise
any subsidy, Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari said: “The ongoing schemes of the Delhi government will not be discontinued.” The AAP is giving up to 200 units of electricity and 20,000 litres of water free to every household.
To counter AAP’s free bus rides scheme for women, the BJP has promised to run “ladies special” buses. But the manifesto is silent on whether this service will be free or not.
Chief minister and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal said the manifesto has made it clear that if the people of Delhi vote for the BJP then the ongoing free water, electricity and bus ride schemes will come to an end.
“The BJP manifesto proves that if you vote for them, your free water, free electricity and free bus rides will stop. Think before you vote,” Kejriwal tweeted.
The BJP, which has not been in power in the city-state in two decades, promised to set up a smart electricity grid to ensure better “reliability and quality of power supply”.
It also said it would make Delhi “tanker-free” and provide clean water through taps in every household by 2024.
In its 2013 manifesto, BJP promised to cut tariff by 30% if it comes to power. In 2015, it promised reduction in rate of electricity and rationalisation of water tariff without specifying the percentage.
When asked about the ongoing subsidy schemes, Tiwari said, “We will provide better quality of services, including clean drinking water.” Senior functionaries in the party said its leaders have differing views on the issue of subsidies.