New Delhi: A separate ‘Kisan budget’, scrapping the sedition law, Right to Healthcare and curbing communal violence are some of the major takeaways from the Congress’ ambitious Lok Sabha election manifesto released Tuesday.
Among a host of other promises announced to woo the youth, women and farmers, the manifesto’s central point is the controversial minimum income guarantee scheme that pledges to give Rs 72,000 per annum to the country’s poorest households.
ThePrint takes a close look at some of the key promises made in the manifesto.
‘Kisan budget’ & farm loan waiver
Promising a farm loan waiver, the Congress promised a separate ‘Kisan budget’.
“Immediately after forming the governments in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, as promised, the three Congress governments waived the loans of farmers. Congress promises to waive the outstanding farm loans in other states as well,” the manifesto stated.
The manifesto also proposed a combination of remunerative prices, lower input costs, and assured access to institutional credit for farmers. Debt, it said, is a civil liability and no criminal proceedings would be instituted against a farmer who is unable to pay his/her debt.
Dealing with Maoists & communal/caste violence
Stating that the most serious threats to internal security emanate from (1) terrorism, (2) infiltration of militants, (3) Maoism or Naxalism, and (4) caste or communal violence, the manifesto said each of these threats will have a separate and distinct response. The Congress promised to take “an uncompromising approach and hard measures to put an end to terrorism and infiltration of militants”.
To tackle Maoists, the Congress promised to resolutely fight against them. The party also said it would address developmental challenges in the areas concerned, enlist the support of the people, and win over the Maoist cadres.
On caste and communal violence, the party said it would deal with it firmly using the police, apprehend the instigators and bring them to justice. “There will be no room for self-appointed vigilante groups and moral-policing brigades,” the manifesto added.
Strong action has also been promised with respect to crimes against women, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and minorities. “The law will be applied on the perpetrators without fear or favour. They will not be allowed to walk on the streets with a sense of impunity,” the Congress said.
Also read: Will make National Security Adviser accountable to Parliament, Congress says in manifesto
Central Armed Police Forces
The Congress manifesto promised to enhance the status of CAPF personnel and the benefits provided to their families in case a jawan dies in the line of duty. Facilities like health, education and housing for CAPF personnel and their families will be enhanced. The Congress promised “to set up schools on the model of sainik schools to enhance educational opportunities for their children”.
Art, culture and heritage
Advocating artistic freedom, the Congress said: “Artists and craftsmen will enjoy the freedom to express their views in any form without fear of censorship or retribution. Attempts by vigilante groups to censor or intimidate artists will be viewed seriously and action against them will be taken according to the law”. Censorship will also be opposed as well as “any attempt to denigrate the art and culture of any group”.
Engaging with citizens and civil society
The Congress also proposed to re-constitute the National Integration Council to promote unity, solidarity, communal harmony, fraternity and reconciliation. It has also proposed to set up an inter-faith council consisting of leaders of all religions to promote respect for all religions, mutual tolerance and fraternity, to hold inter-faith dialogues, and enhance cultural exchanges between people belonging to different religions. “Congress promises to work with the council to fight divisive and communal forces that are a danger to the unity and solidarity of the country,” the manifesto stated.
Aadhaar Act to be amended
The party has promised to amend the Aadhaar Act so that its use can be restricted to availing subsidies, benefits and services provided by the government, “as was originally intended under the law”.
“Congress also promises that with regards to the inherent limitations of biometric identification, alternate instruments of identification will be allowed under the law,” it said.
Appointments to the Lokpal will be made in accordance with the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, and in the absence of an official leader of the opposition, the leader of the largest opposition party will be made a full-fledged member of the selection committee.
Also read: GST 2.0, more jobs, ‘Make for the World’ policy — Congress manifesto focusses on key areas
Tackling corruption
The Congress promised to probe the Rafale deal if voted to power. “Congress will cause to be investigated several deals entered into by the BJP government in the last five years and, in particular, the Rafale deal. Congress will also investigate the circumstances under which a number of scamsters were allowed to leave the country and will take determined steps to bring them back and face legal proceedings”.
Anti-discrimination law
The Congress proposed to pass an anti-discrimination law to prohibit discrimination on the basis of religion, caste, gender or language in the supply of goods and services that are made available to the public in general, such as housing, hostels, hotels, clubs, etc.
Review of laws, rules and regulations
Under this, the Congress has promised to omit the Section 499 of the IPC and make defamation a civil offence. It has also proposed to do away with the colonial-era sedition law, which it said has been misused, and, in any event, has become redundant because of subsequent laws.
Media freedom
The Congress manifesto stated it would amend the Cinematograph Act, 1927 to restrict censorship of films on grounds of national security and obscenity. The party also promised to pass a law to curb monopolies in the media, cross-ownership of different segments of the media and control of the media by other business organisations. It also promised to pass a law to preserve the freedom of the internet and to prevent arbitrary and frequent shutdowns of the internet.
For SC, STs, OBCs
To enable SCs, STs and OBCs to compete as equals, the Congress promised to make public schools offer English as a language of study from Classes VI to XII.
Also read: Congress promises to turn SC into Constitutional Court, set up Court of Appeals
Curbing hate crimes
To prevent hate crimes such as mob-engineered stripping, burning and lynching, the Congress promised to pass a law in the first session of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. “The law will contain provisions to compensate the victims and to hold accountable the police and district administration for proven negligence,” the manifesto said.
Right to Healthcare
Promising the Right to Healthcare, the Congress said it would double the expenditure on healthcare to 3 per cent of the GDP by the year 2023-24.
“To enact the Right to Healthcare Act that will guarantee to every citizen the right to healthcare services, including free diagnosis, out-patient care, medicines and hospitalisation through a network of public hospitals and enlisted private hospitals,” the manifesto said.
Education
The Congress proposed that education from Classes I to XII in public schools will be made compulsory and free. “Suitable amendments will be made in the Right to Education Act, 2009.”
The party also said that it will end the practice of charging special fees for different purposes in public schools.
Shameless act by congress..from 2004-14 congress did nothing excepting looting..Now when modi is doing something they are busy in findimg fault & started making false & DANGEROUS promises like removal of security forces from JK & scrapping sedition law…how beautifull ‘The Misprint’ has covered the dark side & utter non sense of congress manifesto.
Reaches out to all except free market capitalists as usual.
Your headline should read as ‘family’s manifesto’ instead of Congress manifesto. To understand this manifesto one has to realise that Sonia got her training in her mother-in-law’s pathshala, but while Mrs Indira Gandhi could fight back overtly with her charismatic personality, Sonia is much more stealthy back-room operator. Do not underestimate the power of this wily matriarch; she may not be a chip off the old block, but seems to have been a good student.