Kejriwal sets timelines for projects under ‘Rozgar’ Budget: ‘Will transform job sector’

According to officials, the meeting was held at the Delhi Secretariat at 11 am and was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot, Industries Minister Satyendar Jain, Environment Minister Gopal Rai and Dialogue and Development Commission Vice-Chairperson Jasmine Shah along with senior officials from departments concerned.

दिल्ली के बजट में हमने अगले 5 साल में 20 लाख रोज़गार तैयार करने का लक्ष्य रखा है। ऐसा काम देश में पहली बार हो रहा है। आज सभी विभागों की मीटिंग ली। हर विभाग के लक्ष्य और टाइमलाइन निर्धारित किए गए। सभी खूब उत्साहित हैं। मुझे विश्वास है कि हम अपना लक्ष्य ज़रूर पूरा करेंगे।

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) April 8, 2022

Apart from setting targets, Kejriwal, who chaired the high-level meeting, directed department heads to expedite processing of files and decision-making.

“We have set a target of creating 20 lakh jobs in the next five years in this year’s Budget. Such work is being done for the first time in the country. Targets and timelines have been set for each department, everyone is very excited. I believe that we will definitely achieve our goal,” he said after the meeting, adding that while the task at hand was difficult, his government is confident of transforming the jobs sector.

“This is definitely new and challenging for everyone. But just like Delhi has set benchmarks in education, healthcare and water-electricity supply, we will transform the job sector and set examples in it too. The biggest challenge in front of the country is employment, but there are no job opportunities available at present. We aim to overcome that with our policies,” he said.

During the meeting, Kejriwal asked officials to approach him or the ministers if there is a problem with any project. “If there’s a problem, don’t sit on it, don’t wait for the next meeting. We all are available. You can approach me, the Deputy CM, the Chief Secretary or any minister, but flag it as soon as possible. This will help all of us to find timely solutions.”

Sisodia directed officials to think out of the box on land use as it is an important factor in increasing revenue and creating jobs. “We cannot afford to lose time on any front, hence timelines that have been made are very tight and every department is required to strictly adhere to these schedules… We will not tolerate any month-old excuses in review meetings, say, three months from now. If you are facing any obstacles, it is your responsibility to overcome them at the earliest by whatever means necessary,” said Sisodia.

Officials said the government has given the task of organising a shopping festival to the Department of Tourism. It is likely to be held for 4-6 weeks between September and October or February and March.

The Transport Department will, meanwhile, be responsible for making Delhi a hub for experimental shopping and exploring street food. To this end, the government has decided to utilise existing land at bus depots to set up world-class food and retail hubs. The ultimate aim, officials said, is to make Delhi the ‘city of business’.

Sisodia had presented a Rs 75,800-crore Budget this year. Some of the key projects through which the government is aiming to achieve its target of 20 lakh jobs are the redevelopment of Asia’s biggest garment hub of Gandhi Nagar market, shopping and film festivals, redevelopment of iconic markets like Lajpat Nagar and Kamla Nagar, food truck and cloud kitchen policy, setting up an electronic city, redevelopment of food hubs, start-up policy, ‘Dilli Bazaar’ and Rozgar Bazaar 2.0.