Congress manifesto promises separate budget for farmers
Congress manifesto focuses on rural India and unemployment
A AKHTER / NEW DELHI
The Congress party manifesto for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections is focussed on farmers, rural India and unemployment. It has promised that on the lines of the earlier separate railways budget, it would come up with a proposal of a separate farmers budget to address issues of rural distress.
Congress president Rahul Gandhi released the manifesto at patry heaqurters today amid presense of glaxy of top leaders. The 55-page manifesto is divided into six sections, including promises on employment, economy, internal security, good governance, economically deprived sections and a life of dignity for all.
“We are releasing this manifesto and it is a massive step for the Congress party. One year ago, when we began the process I gave only two instructions — I said this is not to be made in a closed room and that it should reflect views of people. Also, this should not have anything that is a lie,” Congress president Rahul Gandhi said while releasing the manifesto.
LIVE: Congress President @RahulGandhi launches 2019 Manifesto. #CongressManifesto2019 https://t.co/th35WGsl63
— Congress (@INCIndia) April 2, 2019
The party has promised 22 lakh government jobs by next March and 100 more days of assured jobs under MNREGA. It will also have separate budge for farmers, on the lines of the Railway Budget, said the Congress president. Farmers who default on loans would not be sent to jail as it will not be a criminal but civil offence, he added.
The NYAY scheme, which assures Rs. 72,000 per year for India’s poorest is also one of the five main themes of the manifesto. “And this will help remonetize what Mr Modi had demonetized,” said Mr Gandhi.
He said the country was going through an “economic emergency” and shock therapy was needed. “That will happen when we give directly to the poor and increase their buying power.”
He also pledged to turn “Gabbar Singh Tax”, his name for Goods and Services Tax, “back into GST”, and simplify it.
“The narrative is NYAY. It is if (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi can give Rs. 30,000 crore to Anil Ambani, then Congress can give Rs. 72,000 to the poorest. Modi has got a shock effect of this. He’s hiding behind excuses. He can’t hide behind the reality, which is joblessness,” said Rahul Gandhi.