Swaraj India releases manifesto, focuses on environment

Giving priority to the issue of environmental degradation, the Swaraj India party, led by Yogendra Yadav, released its manifesto for the upcoming municipal elections on Friday. The manifesto also mentioned several initiatives to generate funds for the cash-strapped civic bodies.

The party stated that it was dedicated to make the Capital free of diseases, such as dengue and chikungunya. It also promised to make the city garbage- and pollution-free. The party stated that in order to make the city clean and to prevent breathing problems, all the main streets and lanes would be swept and washed at night, so that they are not dusty during the day.

The manifesto was launched on the second foundation day of the socio-political organisation Swaraj Abhiyan. The party mentioned all the issues already highlighted in its 'Vision Document', released on March 5

Party President Yadav blamed the BJP for the corruption in civic bodies and the pathetic condition of the city. "At a time when political parties responsible for the present deplorable state of the MCD are again making appeals for votes, Swaraj India has emerged as a true alternative. BJP, which has ruled MCD for the last 10 years, is directly responsible for the filth and corruption that the MCD is marred with," he said.

"The Aam Aadmi Party, which emerged as a source of hope for Delhi two years ago, has only betrayed the public in these years. And then there is Congress, the party that is at the root of every problem and scam in Delhi," Yadav added.

The party also promised to introduce the Two-Bin, One-Bag Scheme, under which all recyclable material, such as paper, cardboard, packets, plastic, glass, foil, etc will be kept and handled in a bag. Wet garbage such as kitchen waste and leaves will be kept in the Green Bin, to be converted into compost. Garbage such as dirt, soil, medical waste etc. Will be kept in the Red Bin.

Yadav promised that if voted to power, the party will construct more toilets for women. He also assured timely payment and wage parity to all temporary and permanent sanitation workers, in addition to gloves, masks, and other tools for them. The work of the sanitation workers will be strictly monitored, the party stated.

In the manifesto, it also promised that CCTV cameras would be installed at landfill sites so that garbage could be removed regularly. Also GPS-enabled trucks will be introduced to carry garbage to prevent any malfunctioning.

The party further promised to run an anti-dengue drive, titled 'Mission Dengue', to prevent mosquito breeding and provide prompt diagnosis for patients. It also claimed that regular licenses will be issued to pushcart vendors to remove congestion on the streets.