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With
the closing down of industrial units in Delhi owing to pollution
and the sealing of economic entities, it has become very difficult
for Delhi’s poor to find viable employment in their own city. At
the same time, thousands of people from other states of India are
arriving each week in search of employment. We have to take a
long-term look at the employment scenario and work out a
sustainable programme.
a) Employment generation programmes
Focussed on the 2010 Commonwealth Games, a state-level
infrastructure development programme should be launched keeping
NREGA as the model. The pathetic condition of Delhi’s roads and
non-existent pavements must be addressed on an immediate basis.
Simultaneously, a scheme modelled on the Swarnajayanti Gram
Swarojgar Yojana must be started in the jhuggi-jhopri, newly
authorised and rehabilitation colonies. Lower income groups living
in other colonies (i.e. occupants of servants’ quarters, Janata
flats, DDA flats, etc.) can also benefit. Products made by the
Self Help Groups under the scheme will be given tax exemption and
protected sales.
b) Self Help Groups
The Atal Bihari Vajpayee Swa Sahayak Goshthi (Self Help Group)
Pariyojana will be launched all over Delhi to develop the
entrepreneurial spirit of the women of Delhi and make them
self-sufficient through micro-finance. Efforts will be made to
link Self-Help Groups under the programme with counterparts in
other states of India so as to launch a country-wide alliance of
SHGs which could translate into collaborations. The products and
services generated by the SHGs under the programme will be assured
government purchases and protected sales through government
outlets.
c) Social Welfare
The Delhi State Social Welfare Department will be overhauled,
so as to reduce bureaucracy and increase its output so that the
incidence of poverty is reduced. The existing schemes for the
benefit of poor families, women, girl children, handicapped
persons, elderly persons and orphans will be broadened and made
more efficient by reducing corruption. House building grants for
poor families in the rehabilitation colonies will be increased. |
