Assocham offers guide for Delhi political parties

Ahead of the Delhi assembly elections, industry lobby Assocham Thursday proposed a seven-point growth agenda to political parties, urging them to include this in their election manifestos.

The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham) highlighted issues like politics, governance, infrastructure, livelihood, security, economy and security, which have to be addressed by the political parties to ensure their victory at tyhe hustings and to improve the city.

The agenda has been submitted to the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP), the Congress, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Samajwadi Party (SP) and others, with a view to create consensus on certain Delhi-specific issues, Assocham said in a statement.

According to the commerce chamber, some issues that political parties should keep in mind are the city's large migrant population, the safety of women, quality healthcare and education.

"The state should involve representatives of migrants while framing key policies on safety, security and livelihood," the commerce chamber said.

As far as women's security is concerned, there is an urgent need for setting up more working women's hostels in Delhi, besides setting up more old-age homes and rehabilitation centres for drug addicts.

"There is an urgent need to develop a quality healthcare system which is affordable and accessible. Besides, the condition of government hospitals should be improved too," suggested Assocham.

It added private schools should be compelled to provide admission to children from economically weaker sections.

While significant investment is needed for building more schools and colleges, steps should be taken to ensure adequate teachers' at primary and secondary school levels, Assocham suggested.