S MOIN / KOLKATA
Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee today released her party manifesto for the West Bengal Assembly elections, promising a slew of schemes and measures that she would bring if her party is voted to power again.
Mamata Banerjee promised her government would decrease unemployment and generate 5 lakh employment opportunities in a year.
“All of you are aware that since we came to power, we have fulfilled our promises 100 per cent. The work that we have done has already been hailed by the world. We have received awards from the United Nations. We are number one in providing 100-days work. We have reduced poverty by 40 per cent and we have raised farmers’ income by three times,” Mamata Banerjee claimed while addressing a press conference in Kolkata.
Mamata Banerjee promised her government would provide free door-to-door ration delivery. She also announced a guaranteed annual financial assistance for the poor.
Under this scheme, general caste beneficiaries would get an ensured annual financial assistance of Rs 6,000. For the backward community, the amount would be Rs 12,000.
“For the first time ever, a new scheme is being launched, wherein female heads of 1.6 crore households will benefit from a universal monthly income support. Female heads of General category families will be provided Rs 500 monthly and SC/ST families will be provided Rs 1,000,” the manifesto said.
- Manifesto provided a new scheme to ensure monthly Basic Income support to female heads of 1.6 crore households of West Bengal, monthly Rs 500 to families of General Category and Rs 1,000 to families of SC/ST.
- For youths, Mamata Banerjee said that her government will create 5 lakh new jobs every year.
- TMC also pledged to make West Bengal, the fifth largest economy in the country with a GDP size of Rs 12.5 lakh crore.
- The manifesto said that the students will be able to take loans up to Rs 10 lakh using Student Credit Card at 4% interest rate only.
- The TMC will provide Rs 10,000 per acre per annum to all small and marginal farmers.
“All the ‘Ongikars’ are my personal commitment and I promise to deliver them to the people of West Bengal,” Mamata Banerjee stated.
I humbly present my 10 ‘Ongikars’ to build a stronger & more prosperous Bengal so that the wheels of development keep moving forward in the third term of our government. The aim is just one, to sustain Bengal as one of the leading states in the country. (1/4) pic.twitter.com/K0xNtrt7GB
The polls to 294-member West Bengal Assembly will be held in eight phases starting from March 27. The final round of voting will take place on April 29, whereas, the counting of votes will take place on May 2.