Dr. Subhash Chandra, Chairman, ZEE & Essel Group, who owns a conglomerate of companies having interest in diverse fields including media, took his oath as Rajya Sabha MP on Wednesday.

Describing his membership to the upper house as the beginning of a new chapter in his life, Dr Chandra said, “I have done a great deal of business in my life – from the young age of 17 years until 65 years. I thought the time has come to give back to the society and as an MP, I can perhaps help lakhs of people by raising important issues and coaxing different parties to come together as I have good relations with all.”

Expressing confidence in the current dispensation, Dr Chandra told reporters he hopes that besides GST, the government will take several other steps for ease of doing business, that would be an answer to many problems plaguing the country today.

“GST is only one step in the direction of taking the country forward. It won’t solve all problems. I am confident that the government will unfold many other tax reforms to take the country forward. If business gets a push, all will benefit because of the trickle-down effect,” he said. Asserting that his sole interest lies in the country’s betterment Dr Chandra said that he is above party politics and serving Haryana would be his starting point. "I will be inviting all 90 MLAs for dinner soon and request them to tell me whatever they have in mind for Haryana’s benefit," he said.

“I will take up every important issue in the august house that is brought to me by Haryana MLAs. It does not matter to which party they belong. My hallmark has been to raise issues that are often neglected by others. I'll keep at it.”

Describing the Bulandshahr gang rape incident as a blot on the country, Dr Chandra said, "Our problem is that we soon forget such horrific incidents and don't keep hammering them so that such shameful acts come to an end. As a person connected to the media, I believe that the media should not leave reporting about such incidents until some solid steps are taken by the administration."

Disclaimer: Dr. Subhash Chandra, is Chairman, ZEE & Essel Group​, which includes DMCL that owns dna newspaper.