Vision Delhi
I HAVE A DREAM… FOR DELHI
“I have a dream.” So said, Martin Luther King and changed the history of the world and brought the principles of equality and justice to fore, in the most advanced nation in the world.
“I have a dream to transform the face of Delhi - a city, with the potential to be a role model for other international cities of the world, as the citadel of power of the biggest democracy. But Delhi must rule the heart of its citizens first. Keeping in view of this prerequisite, I dream of a Delhi with a citizens friendly infrastructure, with a secure environment for its women, with a safe zone from all sorts of terrorism and corruption, with transparent policies and interactions.
I sincerely believe that given a chance, we can gain ways out of the choking traffic congestions paralyzing free movements within the city, adversely affecting working hours that directly impacts the city’s economy. With effective administration and governance, we can do away with the nagging electricity and power problems that throw normal lifestyles of the people into doldrums. We must restrict pollution of Yamuna and misuse of its riverbeds, skyrocketing inflation that results in sleepless nights and provide safe affordable shelters to each and every citizens of this city where modernity meets an admirable tradition. “
- Prof. Malhotra on his Vision for Delhi
Prof. Malhotra has been chosen by the Bharatiya Janata Party to be the next Chief Minister of the National Capital Territory (NCT), Delhi after the elections that will be held on November 29th, 2008. The dynamism and vitality of Prof. Malhotra coupled with his innate humility and unpretentious manner would go a long way in pulling the city of Delhi out of the lethargy and apathy, which have been the hallmarks of the complacent Congress rule. The dismal performance of the present Congress government due to their lacklustre policies and poor implementation of development schemes have disillusioned millions of citizens of the NCT. The people are ready to give a fresh chance to a BJP government under his leadership, to fulfil the aspirations of the masses.
Prof. Malhotra is considered a soft-spoken, thorough gentleman with an impeccable political career of nationalism and integrity. He combines a sterling educationist background as Professor with unmatched experience in Government and governance. He has a genuine desire to change the face of Delhi and nurture the soul of this ancient city. He has always identified himself with the basic interests of all sections of the society, especially the deprived and under-privileged segments, who can always depend on his understanding and empathy.
There are several issues faced by the citizens of NCT, Delhi which are also close to his heart. He is committed to finding solutions to these issues and implementing them as soon as given a chance to form a government in Delhi.
Traffic Congestions
Inflation
Infrastructure
Security
Corruption
Electricity and Water Problems
Yamuna Issue
Housing
His vision is of a Delhi where every citizens feels proud of belonging to a safe, modern, thriving city; where ancient heritage blends seamlessly with development projects; and where every living being is allowed to lead a dignified life bereft of strife and daily struggle. Besides implementing solutions to the issues mentioned above, there are other plans he has in mind to bring this vision to life. Some of these are in the field of
Food and provisions
Education
Employment
Environment
Art and Culture
Sports
Delhi Issues and Solutions :
BRT Scheme
BRT Scheme, introduced by the Congress Regime, is one of the focal issues on Prof. V K Malhotra’s reform agenda.
The entire BRT project has been undertaken ‘unscientifically’. A huge amount of Rs 120 crore has been spent on this scheme’s first phase. BRT is adversely affecting traffic in the city. People forced to travel through the BRT Corridor, are spending close to two hours daily in mile-long queues, that form in it everyday.
The BRT scheme was conceived with a total outlay of Rs 2,000 crore, segmented for implementation in phases. The entire road stretch, where the project is being implemented in South Delhi, has only four lanes (two on both sides), one lane on both sides is fully being dedicated to the HCBS while lakhs of motorists and two wheeler users commuting daily on this stretch have been given a raw deal as only one lane on both sides is dedicated to them. This is a bottleneck for the thousands of commuters in that area.
Since the BRT has started it has managed to kill several users only due to its poor planning. The Geneva based International Road Federation [IRF] has expressed concern at the safety and feasibility of this corridor and called for its immediate stalling. “The HCBS project in Delhi is the first project in the world which has been started without a detailed project report – something that is virtually unheard of for a big project,” said IRF Vice-Chairman K K Kapila, in a statement issued on the occasion of The World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims.
Prof. Malhotra assures citizens of Delhi that he along with his party will review the entire scheme, if elected to form the government in Delhi. He proposes to initiate a process of public participation, wherein feedback from those affected by this scheme would be the sole criteria for subsequent decisions. If a general consensus emerges against the corridor, he would leave no stone unturned in restructuring the BRT, even if it means, scrapping it altogether.
Inflation
The mismanagement and unsatisfactory economic policies of the Central Government have led to the present inflationary crisis that our country is facing. Prof. Malhotra’s deep insight into the financial matters promises an economic revival in Delhi, spearheaded by a firm resolve on his part. The situation, according to him, can be corrected by timely procurement of commodities, which in turn would rule out a demand-supply gap situation, one of the primary reasons for the inflationary crisis.
Amongst other things, he proposes to restrict procurement of food grains from abroad, which is costlier and causes price overload, a burden borne by common households. His reform policy would comprise procuring food grains from domestic agro-suppliers to reduce the price burden on common man.
Corruption and Scams
The Delhi government has procured low-floor buses at higher rates. In Chennai, each bus cost around Rs. 16 Lakh, here it is Rs. 42 Lakh. And at the fag-end of its tenure, the Congress government has ordered another 2,500 buses for Rs. 55 Lakh each. It is also alleged that there was a scam in issuance of smart cards and that also needed to be investigated.
Fast Running Electricity Meters
Prof. Malhotra has pointed out the issue of "fast-running" electricity meters installed by private distribution companies (DISCOMs) in Delhi. He has promised that if voted to power in Delhi, his government would not hesitate to cancel the licences to the firms if they do not take corrective steps in case any wrong-doing is detected.
The fast-running electricity metres is a big scandal. The DISCOMs have installed fast-running metres in Delhi households, because of which the electricity bills have increased three-fold. If BJP comes to power in Delhi, the metres by neutral agencies will be tested. And if any wrong-doing is found, strict action will be taken against these companies.
Terrorism
On 5 Nov. 2008, during a public address to the people of New Delhi, Prof. Malhotra expressed his deep distress about the lacklustre attitude of the Central Government in tackling terrorism with alacrity. He has suggested that this is not the time for lassitude, but for quick action. “Let us not wait for more blasts and more blood of our innocent citizens to be shed”.
Infrastructure
During the tenure of Sheila Dikshit government in Delhi in the last decade, the entire Delhi infrastructure has deteriorated to a great extent. Prof. Malhotra has expressed his confidence that during the BJP rule, Delhi would have the distinction of being the best administered and prosperous state in the world. Many problems have been arising during the Congress misrule. A large number of factories, which were set up in Delhi, had to close down because of the lack of necessary facilities and essential components like water and electricity. Those factories had no alternative but to close their gates and move away. People of Delhi are tired of seeing filth and malba on the roads, unfinished projects which seem to have no end in sight.
With his unmatched experience in Government and governance, Prof. Malhotra can ensure that Delhi would gain the recognition of being one of the best cities in the world and its citizens would be able to say with pride that they belong to Delhi.
Unauthorised Colonies
It is a fact that the innocent people of unauthorized colonies in NCT have been taken for a ride by the Congress government. The same government turned a blind eye when these colonies were coming up on unauthorized land. Now the people settled in them have been beguiled by being handed over Provisional Regularization Certificates which have no meaning. This ludicrous step has not only upset the recipients of such hoax certificates, but it has also bared the real face of the Congress, whose supreme leader was made to distribute those certificates to the unsuspecting residents for the sake of gaining their electoral support.
Prof. Malhotra has pledged that his main task after assuming power following the Assembly elections, would be to ensure that all the existing unauthorized colonies get formally regularized, and in future, all efforts would be made to prevent any more unauthorized construction in Delhi. He plans to secure the status of a full fledged state for Delhi.
Yamuna Issue
Regretting that the Yamuna has turned into a "nullah", Prof. Malhotra has stated that special attention would be paid to cleaning it and developing its margins as green pathways. The Sheila Dikshit government has failed to preserve and protect our sacred river. BJP govt. will take concrete steps for the cleaning of Yamuna and an action plan will also be made.
