New Delhi: From a new version of NYAY, the social security scheme for the poor, to their own version of the Uniform Civil Code, from conducting a caste census to lifting the cap on 50 percent reservation and immediate removal of the current Manipur government — here are the top 15 promises that India’s principal opposition party Congress has made in its parliamentary election manifesto.
New NYAY for women
In its manifesto, the Congress has promised the party will launch a ‘Mahalakshmi’ scheme, wherein every poor Indian family will be provided Rs 1 lakh per year as an unconditional cash transfer. The ‘poor’ will be identified from among the families in the bottom of the income pyramid.
The amount will be directly transferred to the bank account of the oldest woman of the household. In the absence of a woman, it will be sent to the account of the oldest member of the family. The scheme will be rolled out in stages and reviewed every year to assess the number of beneficiary families and its impact on alleviating poverty.
This is a modified version of Nyuntamaay Yojana (NYAY) that the Congress had announced in its 2019 manifesto, when it promised to transfer Rs 72,000 per year to the poorest 20 percent of all Indian families, irrespective of gender.
Besides, the manifesto also promised Yuva Nyay, shramik Nyay and Hissedari Nyay.
Congress’s version of the Uniform Civil Code
The Congress manifesto has promised to “encourage” the reform of personal laws. Such changes, the manifesto said, must be undertaken with the participation and consent of the communities concerned. The manifesto refrained from mentioning what the reforms would be, but said all laws and rules that unreasonably interfered with personal freedom would be repealed.
The opposition party will also not interfere with the personal choices of food and dress, to love and marry, or to travel and reside in any part of India.
The BJP in its 2019 manifesto promised to draft a Uniform Civil Code to protect rights of all women. Though the party could not bring UCC during its five-year term, BJP-ruled Uttarakhand brought a law on UCC earlier this year.
BJP’s ‘washing-machine’ model to be investigated
The Congress has promised that cases against all accused of corruption, who joined the BJP and were allowed to escape the law, will be revived and investigated. The Congress had coined the “washing machine” analogy to refer to leaders with corruption charges who have left the party to join the BJP.
Besides, the party has said it would ensure the police, investigation and intelligence agencies will function strictly in accordance with the law. They will be brought under the oversight of Parliament or the state legislatures, as the case may be.
Raise reservation cap from 50 percent
The Congress has promised to pass a constitutional amendment to raise the 50 percent cap on reservations for SC, ST and OBC. The reservation of 10 percent in jobs and educational institutions for economically weaker sections (EWS) would also be implemented for all castes and communities without discrimination.
The Congress has also promised to fast-track the enforcement of one-third reservation for women in Lok Sabha and assemblies by 2029 and 2025 (states which will go to polls that year) respectively. To do so, it plans to scrap the “sinister” provision of the women’s reservation law (Constitution (106th) Amendment Act) — passed by Parliament last year — that allows the 33 percent reservation for women to come into operation only after 2029.
Besides, half (50 percent) of central government jobs will be reserved for women starting in 2025.
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Reclaim India’s patrolling rights at LAC with China
The party will ensure that areas where Indian and Chinese armies patrolled in the past would again be accessible to the country’s soldiers. “We will work to restore the status quo ante on our borders with China and to ensure that areas where both armies patrolled in the past are again accessible to our soldiers. We will take necessary steps to adjust our policy towards China until this is achieved,” the manifesto stated.
Remove current Manipur govt, appoint reconciliation commission
The Congress has said it would immediately remove the present state government in Manipur and heal wounds between the Meiteis and Kukis, the two ethnic communities that have been fighting since May 2023.
The party will also appoint a reconciliation commission to bring about a political and administrative settlement that will be satisfactory to all the people of the state.
Full statehood to Jammu & Kashmir
The Congress will immediately restore full statehood to Jammu & Kashmir. It also promises to amend the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution to include the tribal areas of Ladakh.
Defection will invite automatic disqualification
The Congress has promised to amend the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution and make defection (leaving the original party on which the MLA or MP was elected) an automatic disqualification of the membership in assembly or Parliament.
Restoring Planning Commission
The Congress manifesto promises to bring back the erstwhile Planning Commission. The 65-year-old federal think tank was the first institution that was disbanded by the BJP-led NDA government, just eight months after it came to power in 2014. It was replaced by the Niti Aayog.
The manifesto also has promised to redefine its role and responsibilities. This will include formulating medium and long-term perspective plans to meet the needs of the Nav Sankalp Economic Policy.
Rs 1 lakh for apprentices under Right to Apprenticeship Act
To empower youth and reap the benefit of India’s demographic dividend, the Congress has guaranteed a new Right to Apprenticeship Act, which will provide a one-year apprenticeship with a private or a public sector company to every diploma holder or college graduate below the age of 25.
Apprentices will get Rs 1 lakh a year. The apprenticeship will impart skills, enhance employability and provide full-time job opportunities for millions of youth.
Socio-economic caste census
Congress vowed to conduct a nation-wide socio-economic and caste census to enumerate the castes and sub-castes and their socio-economic conditions. Based on the data, the party has promised to strengthen the agenda for affirmative action.
NEET, CUET to be revisited
The National Entrance-cum-Eligibility Test (NEET), the single entrance test for students appearing for MBBS and BDS exams, and the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) would be revisited by the Congress and made optional for state governments to adopt these examinations for admissions or conduct their own. This would be subject to meeting the prescribed standards to state-funded and state-approved higher educational institutions.
Universal healthcare
The Congress has promised universal healthcare with cashless insurance of up to Rs 25 lakh. This, the manifesto said, would be on the lines of the Rajasthan Model of cashless insurance. Primary health centres (PHC) would be upgraded according to the Indian Public Health Standards norms, and diagnostics would be added in each PHC.
Abolish Agnipath
The Congress said it would scrap the Agnipath Scheme and return to the normal recruitment processes followed by the Army, Navy and Air Force that guaranteed economic and social security for our soldiers.
National Judicial Commission to get the green signal
The Congress will establish the National Judicial Commission (NJC) in consultation with the Supreme Court and the chief justices of high courts. The composition of the NJC would be decided in consultation with the top court. The NJC will be responsible for the selection and appointment of judges of high courts and the Supreme Court, the manifesto said.
(Edited by Tikli Basu)
Raja paswan
Lakjakoaahah
CRIMINAL ISSUING A STATEMENT OF OR MANIFESTO WHICH IS DAMAGING THE INDIAN DEMOCRACY. HE IS A TERROR SUPPORTER FROM FOREGIN TERROR GROUPS. HE IS CHEATING IDNDIAN PUBLIC AND TRYING TO SELL INDIA TO FOREIGN TERROR GROUPS.