The manifesto promises on employment, economy, internal security, good governance, economically deprived sections and a life of dignity for all Some of the other key promises made include filling up of 22 lakh vacancies in the government by 30 March 2020
Andalib Akhter / NEW DELHI
The Congress party manifesto for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections has focussed on farmers, rural India and unemployment. It has pledged to present a separate farmers budget on the lines of the earlier separate railways budget. Party believed that separate farmers budget will 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.
“It is a manifesto that has come to us from the people. The manifesto comprises of the “mann ki baat” of people,” Gandhi added.
Some of the other key promises made by the party, includes filling up of 22 lakh vacancies in the government by 30 March 2020; starting a new business would require no permission for the first three years; and reiteration of already announced minimum income guarantee, or NYAY, and country-wide farm loan waiver.
The manifesto is a result of crowdsourcing inputs for over six months beginning with October last year. A manifesto committee formed by the party went into several specific issues and held public and expert consultations over each of them across the country.
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 simplify Goods and Services Tax, GST
“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.
Here are some of the promises Congress party has made in the manifesto
Agriculture and farm labour: “Congress promises to waive the outstanding farm loans: introduce a separate ‘Kisan Budget’; re-design the BJP government’s failed Fasal Bima Yojana (Crop Insurance Scheme); double the funding in 5 years for teaching, R&D, agriculture-related pure sciences and applied science and technology in the agricultural sector; resotre the original Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 and the Forest Rights Act.”
Rural development: “Congress promises to launch MGNREGA 3.0, which will ncrease the guaranteed days of employment up to 150 days; connect all villages and habitations with a population of 250 with a road under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana; pass the Right to Homestead Act to provide a homestead for every household that does not own a home or own land.”
Employment: “All of the 4 lakh vacancies as on 1 April 2019 in the Central Government, Central Public Sector Enterprises, Judiciary and Parliament will be filled before the end of March 2020. Congress will request State Governments to fill all vacancies, estimated at 20 lakh, in the 2 sectors and in local bodies.”
NYAY: “Poorest 20% of families to be guaranteed a cash transfer of Rs. 72,000 a year each; money to be transferred to the account of a woman of the family; estimated cost will be <1% of GDP in Year 1 and <2% of GDP in Year 2 and thereafter.
Taxation: “Congress promises to enact the Direct Taxes Code in the first year of government; review and replace the current GST laws with the GST 2.0 regime based on a single, moderate, standard rate of tax; abolish the e-way bill.”
Electoral Reforms: “Will scrap the opaque Electoral Bond Scheme that was designed to favour the ruling party; set up a National Election Fund to which any person may make a contribution; promise that 50% of EVMs will be matched against VVPATs.”
Laws, Rules and Regulations: “Congress promises to decriminalise defamation and sedition; amend laws that allow detention without trial; pass Prevention of Torture Act; amend ASFPA; institute comprehensive prison reforms.”
Anti-Corruption: “Will enforce anti-corruption laws without discrimination; will investigate several deals entered into by the BJP Government in the last 5 years and, in particular, the Rafale deal.”
Planning: “Will scrap Niti Aayog and constitute a Planning Commission with re-defined responsibilities.”
Women: “Will provide for reservation of 33% of seats in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies. Equal Remuneration Act, 1976 to be enforced effectively; repeal any provision of law that prohibits night shifts for women; comprehensive review of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplaces Act, 2013; establish a separate investigative agency to investigate heinous crimes against women and children.”
Economic Policy: “Congress promises to achieve the target of 3% of GDP by 2020-21 and remain under that limit; achieve a savings level of 40% of GDP and a Gross Capital Formation level of 35% of GDP; bring every Fortune 500 company to set up a business in India; withdraw Angel Tax
Manufacturing: “Congress promises to increase the share of India’s manufacturing sector from the current level of 16%of GDP to 25% within a period of 5 years and to make India a manufacturing hub for the world.”
Public infrastructure and urban policy: “Congress promises to modernise all outdated railway infrastructure; formulate a comprehensive policy on Urbanisation; Right to Housing for the urban poor and protection from arbitrary eviction; introduce a new model of governance for towns and cities through a directly elected mayor with a fixed term of 5 years, an elected Council and a separate administrative structure for each urban body.”
National Security: “Will ensure defence spending is increased to meet requirements of the Armed Forces; evolve suitable policies to address data security, cyber security, financial security, communication security; rapidly expand domestic capacity to manufacture defence and security equipment.
Foreign Policy: “Congress promises to establish a National Council on Foreign Policy; re-double the efforts to win for permanent membership India in the UNSC and the Nuclear Suppliers Group; significantly increase the size of the Foreign Service.”