The Delhi government on Friday unveiled a detailed blueprint of its five-year plan to generate 20 lakh jobs under the 'Rozgar Budget' and set up department-wise targets to implement the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) dispensation's ambitious scheme. Industrial areas, retail markets, startup policy and shopping festivals were major contributors to achieving the objective of providing 20 lakh jobs.

A high-level meeting was convened by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his deputy Manish Sisodia on Friday to expedite the implementation of these schemes and set specific targets and timelines for different departments to achieve the goal. In the meeting, Kejriwal said 20 lakh jobs in five years is perhaps a first-of-its-kind experiment in the budget-making exercise.

"Employment generation may be a challenge, but we've proven in Delhi that nothing is impossible. The whole world is looking at us and appreciating how we have transformed education, healthcare, electricity and water. "We will overcome all challenges and make Delhi an example in the employment sector too," an official statement quoted Kejriwal as saying.

He exhorted officials not to delay approvals and files and approach him or the deputy chief minister for clarifications. "If there is any problem, don't sit on it, don't wait for the next meeting. We all are available here. You can approach me, the deputy CM, the chief secretary or any minister but flag it as soon as possible. This will help us to find timely solutions," Kejriwal said.

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According to details provided by the government, redevelopment of non-conforming notified industrial areas will generate over six lakh new jobs in five years whereas the Delhi Startup Policy aims to generate nine lakh jobs in the same timeframe. Both these job-creating sectors will be looked after by the Industries department of the Delhi government.

Similarly, the government plans to generate 1.5 lakh jobs in the next five years by redeveloping popular retail markets like Lajpat Nagar and Kamla Nagar. Five popular retail markets will be redeveloped by the Tourism Department and the Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation (DTTDC).

Under the plan, these markets will be promoted to create a brand around them to increase sales and attract more customers from Delhi and the rest of the country. This will increase employment by encouraging the re-hiring of workers who were let go during Covid and encouraging new hires as sales increase, the government said in a statement. The Tourism Department will hold the 'Dilli Shopping Festival' for four to six weeks in September and October or February and March every year where heavy discounts will be offered to buyers.

"Discounts will be enabled by the Delhi government through SGST refunds as well as lotteries, prizes, and scratch cards to customers. The Dilli Shopping Festival has the potential to generate 1.2 Lakh jobs in five years," the statement noted. Deputy Chief Minister Sisodia, who was present in the meeting, said every department is required to strictly adhere to their schedules because once there is a delay it affects the entirety of a project and causes hurdles.

"We cannot afford to lose time on any front. Hence the timelines that have been made are very tight. All heads of departments have to make sure that file processing and decision making is expedited. We will not tolerate any month old excuses in review meetings," Sisodia said in a statement. He further said the meeting aimed at ensuring every department understands its role properly and the schedules the government is operating on.