BJP's manifesto for Delhi

A 30% reduction in power tariff, clampdown on food inflation within 30 days of coming to power, and massive reservation of seats for Delhi students in the capital’s colleges are among the highlights of BJP’s 16-page manifesto.
Out of power in Delhi for 15 years, the party has put together a please-all manifesto, with some new promises and a rehash of its rivals’ plans and policies. With its chief ministerial candidate, Harsh Vardhan, a practising doctor the party has focused on the health front, promising to implement his idea of an Essential Drug Policy under which the city’s residents will get 25 essential drugs for free.
The party wants to invest 30% of the health budget for preventive and promotive healthcare, and to create awareness about healthy lifestyle, diet and exercise. It has promised to set up trauma centres in all districts and provide health facilities to all with a universal health insurance scheme that has a daily premium of Rs 6.
The party promises to “reduce the power tariff by 30% by promoting competition among the distribution companies and bringing them under CAG audit and RTI”. To make Delhi a power-surplus state, Vardhan said, BJP will “promote solar power and make every house a powerhouse which was neglected during the 15 years of Sheila Dikshit government”.
To promote solar energy, BJP will give a tax holiday of 10 years to the manufacturers of solar energy equipment. In the water sector, it promises to provide safe drinking water, modernize the distribution system and focus on recycling.
For women’s safety, it proposes to set up 24-hour call centres and a dedicated Women Security Force under the direct supervision of the chief minister. A 24-hour helpline has also been proposed for students from the Northeast.
Domestic workers will be trained about their rights, the manifesto states, and the government’s training centre will look into their employment issues. Women entrepreneurs will be provided working capital from Delhi Finance Corporation.
For housing, Vardhan said, BJP will ensure in situ construction of multi-storey houses for jhuggi dwellers under its ‘Atal Bihari Vajpayee Jan Punarwas Yojna’. The party also promises regularization of all unauthorized colonies, and to develop these as DDA colonies the layout fund will be provided by the government.
On transport, the party has stuck to the present government’s line—monorail and new flyovers.