Kejriwal for partnership with industry to build new and modern Delhi

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has said that he is looking forward to having a partnership with industry leaders to realise his dream of a new and modern Delhi.

Addressing a CII National Conference here, Kejriwal said, "I have come to you to invite you to join us in realizing this dream of a new Delhi".

He was speaking at the session on 'Economic Development of Delhi: what are the priorities?'

Responding to a question of Ajay Shriram, President CII, on how the industry can help the chief minister in taking forward the economic agenda of the state, Kejriwal said there were several areas where industry could be engaged for the development of Delhi.

He said that industry could help make Delhi one of the top five transparent and honest cities in the world. This would make Delhi one of the top five investment and business friendly cities in the world. Specific ideas for industry partnership would include the upgradation of bus transportation within the city of Delhi, setting up water recycling and recharging plants and cleaning up the River Yamuna.

He elaborated that 50 percent of Delhi does not have sewer pipe lines and 20 percent of Delhi does not have water pipes.

"This problem can be solved by using technology for setting up water recycling and recharging plants. Industry can help come up with suggestions of setting up such plants that will help meet the water requirements of the city. The Government is to invite industry to participate in the bus transport system in Delhi state," he said.

Talking about the Clean River Yamuna project and also to store the water for use in the dry season, Kejriwal asked industry leaders if lakes can be built on the banks of River Yamuna to store water. To manage the increasing pollution in the city, he asked if industry can come up with suggestions, including a blue print for solid waste management.

He informed that his government is discussing the possibility of making WIFI available in Delhi, and invited industry members to come up with ideas in this regard.

Moving on to the issue of accountability in government departments and officials, Kejriwal said his government is taking a relook at the existing departments and the necessity and viability of running them. Unnecessary departments are being closed down. Similarly, year-end review of officials is being linked to performance and to encourage this, the government is looking at a system of performance allowance.

Speaking about the mandatory two percent profits contribution of industry towards the CSR activities, the chief minister invited industry to invest in new schools and hospitals required in the city. Equally important, said Kejriwal, is the care of the elderly and safety of women. He invited the industry to invest in care of senior citizens and in women's safety.

Last but not the least, he shared the steps that the government was taking to manage increasingly unmanageable traffic conditions in the state of Delhi.

Kejriwal said that his party had received a big mandate from the people of Delhi and the entire country is looking at his government. They have come with a clean and honest mind and have big dreams and they can realize these dreams with support of the industry.