In the run-up to Delhi Assembly Elections 2015, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) recently submitted its recommendations to the Political parties in Delhi to incorporate the same in their elections manifesto.
These recommendations were submitted to all leading political parties in Delhi, including Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) and Indian National Congress (INC). The CII recommendations outlined the focus areas for incoming State Government and how these could be achieved.
Detailing about the same, Zubin Irani, Chairman, CII Northern Region and President-Building and Industrial Systems, United Technologies Corporation India Limited shared that "A 20-point agenda outlining industry's vision for 2020 has been prepared by CII and presented to all parties to make Delhi outshine other Indian States in various parameters like ease of doing business, environment, education, tourism, retail, solar, waste management, women safety, quality of life etc.
CII believes that Delhi should be portrayed as the Knowledge Hub of India by promotion of education, innovation, research and development, life sciences, healthcare, knowledge tourism and creative industry."
"This would go a long way in building strong partnerships and attracting global investments which are key to establish more and more R&D units, parks & corridors, educational institutions, incubation centres, design centres, Intellectual Property facilitation cells, Skill development centres, entrepreneurship development centres, Angel / Venture Funding institutions etc in the state and turn the output of state’s existing knowledge infrastructure into economic benefits," said Irani.
"To provide the much needed thrust to innovation, CII has suggested setting up of Delhi State Innovation Council (DSIC) by the Government of NCT of Delhi. DSIC can anchor all Knowledge and Innovation elements and stakeholders in the State as also comprehensively showcase State’s Innovation and Knowledge strengths and explore global partnerships that the State is looking for. The Council should have equal representation from Government and Private Sector," Irani added.
"All political parties have taken CII recommendations very positively and have ensured that they would be working on the same in the due course of time," opined Irani.
Arjun Wallia, chairman, CII Delhi State Council and Group Founder and Chairman, The Walsons Group and Securitas India said that "CII is committed and keen to work with the incoming State leadership in achieving these measures through Joint Working Groups and Task Forces."
"With the aim to attract domestic and foreign investments to the State, CII has also suggested that Delhi Business Conclave be organised annually to showcase Delhi’s policy initiatives focused on improving Delhi’s ranking on Ease of Doing Business Index by 2020," added Wallia.
"To improve the quality of life and environment in Delhi, CII has suggested that concrete steps be taken to enhance the green cover for Delhi from current 20% to 35% by 2020. Further, we should strive to make Delhi a 'Solar City' by 2020. Special incentives and schemes are needed to create solar parks across various vacant lands and encourage citizens to install Solar Panels across city rooftops. Solid Waste Management must also be implemented at RWA and industry level through solid waste treatment and waste to energy plants. In addition, it is imperative to increase the number of hospital beds by 30% in the State," said Wallia.
CII has also called for Heritage Cells for tourists to gain more information on the heritage sites in Delhi and get answers to their queries. An annual event, The Delhi Festival should be organized to cater to Domestic and International Tourists and showcase Delhi's art, culture and heritage.
To attract more tourists in Delhi, CII has also suggested setting up a knowledge-based information system that can be used by tour operators, travelers and tourist organizations. On should be able to book entry tickets and guides for all monuments in Delhi online on the website of Delhi Tourism. This will encourage international tourists to book their tours well in advance. CII has also advocated for a 'Single Window Act' for tourism sector on the lines of Industry as well as announcement of a Tourism Investment Promotion Scheme.
