Farm debt to be waived; minority ministry to be formed to take care of their needs; party also promises to construct 25 lakh new houses in five years.
New Delhi: From reservation for Patidars to a number of pro-farmer schemes, the Congress has made big promises to voters in Gujarat in its election manifesto released in Ahmedabad Monday.
Called ‘People’s Manifesto’, it says that the party will introduce a bill in the assembly at the earliest under Article 46 of the Constitution and keeping in view the provisions of Article 31(c) for reservation of Patidars without affecting/reducing/making any change in the present 49 per cent quota of the backward communities.
It also promises to deliver justice to the youths who had become martyrs in the Patidar Anamat Andolan protests. A probe will be initiated to identify the people responsible for ordering the torture of Patidars causing the death of many innocent people.
Hardik Patel joined hands with the Congress after the latter agreed to his demand for reservation for the Patidar community.
The party also promised to form a minority commission and a minority ministry in Gujarat to take care of their needs.
For farmers, the party has promised to waive loans and provide 16 hours of electricity for farming. Also, electricity theft cases against farmers will be reviewed and disposed of within six months of coming to power.
The Congress has also promised to declare minimum support price (MSP) and a special bonus for crops such as cotton, groundnut, potato and onion.
The party has also promised an unemployment allowance of Rs 4,000 per month for youth of all the communities. It would withdraw contractual, outsourcing and fixed salary structure and fill vacancies in government jobs.
The manifesto also talks about offering 100 per cent loan finance to any self-employed person of all communities.
In education, the Congress has promised laptops to all college-going students. It would bring all private schools and colleges under Fee Regulation Act to make education affordable to common people.
On the housing front, the party promises to construct 25 lakhs new houses in five years if it comes to power. It also says to provide kerosene to all poor households who have got Ujjawala gas connection.
For women, the party offers loan for starting business and a 24-hour helpline.
To tackle price rise, the party mentions a number of soaps in their manifesto such as reducing the price of petrol/diesel by Rs 10 per litre and slashing state taxes in the price. The Congress manifesto also talks about 50 per cent reduction in electricity bills and property taxes.
On food security, the party promises to lauch ‘Indira Canteen’ across the state which would serve food at Rs 10 per plate.
To woo the backward classes, the party promises to provide a special package for OBC-dominated areas for development and education.