Party’s vision document also focuses on graft and women’s safety; says BJP will create a tourist circuit linking various temples across the state.
New Delhi: Religious tourism seems to be high on the priority for the BJP in Himachal Pradesh, at least going by its manifesto or vision document for the assembly elections released on Sunday.
Free ‘chardham’ pilgrimage for senior citizens, ‘devbhoomi darshan’ and daily telecast of morning ‘arti’ in various temples by state-run Doordarshan are among the promises listed in the document as the party goes all out to capture power in the Himalayan state. The document was released by Union finance minister Arun Jaitley and senior BJP leaders in Shimla.
Fighting corruption, ensuring women’s safety and security as well as setting up of a task force of ex-servicemen to tackle drug mafia and crime are the other major areas of focus in the document.
According to the document, the BJP will come up with ‘devbhoomi darshan’ scheme under which free bus rides will be provided to devotees and tourists for sightseeing. A separate scheme for ‘darshan’ (temple visit) too will also be initiated, the document says.
DD Himachal will telecast a special programme every morning on arti at various temples. The Union ministry of tourism will be roped in to further develop the tourist spots across the state. The BJP also plans to create a tourist circuit linking different temples.
“Light and sound shows will be organised in the circuit. CNG bus sewa will be started as well,” reads the document.
The controversial issue of cow protection also finds a mention in the party document. The BJP promises to set up a commission called, ‘Gau Sewa Ayog’.
“Steps will be taken to ensure that cow rearing becomes profitable. The government will also make policies to increase number of cows in the state,” the document states. It promises mobile clinics for treatment of animals.
With women’s security emerging as a major issue this time — the state has seen widespread protests over the Kotkhai rape and murder case, which is currently being probed by the CBI — the BJP promises Gudiya Helpline, a 24×7 emergency service. It also plans to set up women police stations.
The party also promises to connect every village by road, clean drinking water in every household, heli-ambulances for emergency services in far-flung areas, abolition of interviews for Grade III and IV posts, holding annual job fairs, increase in wages of farmers by 2022, doubling of land acquisition rate for agriculture land, promoting home-stay ventures in villages, houses for poor, among others.