Rahul Gandhi launches #CongressManifesto2019: Here's all about it
Congress President Rahul Gandhi has released the party's election manifesto titled "India's New Tryst with Destiny" for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. After the launch, Rahul said, the manifesto promises NYAY minimum income scheme, LGBT rights, rights for minorities, women empowerment among others. Former PM Manmohan Singh said that the party's manifesto spells out how it plans to get rid of poverty. Here's more.
There are no false promises made: Rahul
Rahul said, "Manifesto is a result of year-long process. There are no false promises made. We are reflecting people's voice. The Congress manifesto promises LGBT rights, rights for minorities, women empowerment, NYAY scheme."
Watch: Rahul launching the Congress Manifesto 2019
Forward-looking document sums up aspiration of people: Singh
Singh said that the Congress manifesto sums up the "aspiration of people". He said, "Forward-looking document which sums up aspiration of people -- dignity and self-respect. Congress manifesto is called the Jan Aawaz Ghoshna Patra." "This manifesto spells out what we would plan to do...to get rid of poverty. In 10 years of UPA, 140 million people were out of poverty," he added.
Rahul says manifesto focuses on five main themes
After releasing the crowd-sourced manifesto, Rahul said that it focuses on five main themes, including NYAY scheme. "First, poor will have money in their pockets... Second, economy will start running which was stalled due to demonetization. Modi ji promised 2 crore jobs but we know the truth. There are 22 lakh positions vacant... We will fill all these posts by 2020," he added.
NYAY scheme, jobs, education, and high-quality healthcare
The five themes on which the manifesto focuses on include the NYAY scheme under which Rs. 72,000/year will be given to the poorest. Rahul said unemployment is another key issue and the party will fill up 22 lakh government jobs lying vacant by next year. Congress said it will allocate 6% of GDP to education and will provide high-quality healthcare to the poor.
Tax incentives for new entrepreneurs, separate budget for farmers
Rahul also said Congress would enable new entrepreneurs to provide jobs by letting them operate without any permission for the first three years; entrepreneurs will also be given tax incentives. Next, he said the party would have a separate budget for farmers. It would also decriminalize non-repayment of bank loans by farmers; it will be considered a civil offense instead of a criminal offense.
Congress to provide 150 days of employment under MNREGA
Promising to decriminalize the non-repayment of farm loans, Rahul said, "Mehul Choksi and Vijay Mallya can run away but our farmers are put in jail. If farmers cannot repay loan, it will no longer be a criminal offense." He also said Congress would provide 150 days of employment under the MNREGA (National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) scheme instead of the existing 100 days.
GST 2.0 regime: A single, moderate, standard rate of tax
The Congress manifesto also promises that the existing GST (Goods and Services Tax) laws will be reviewed and replaced. "The GST 2.0 regime will be based on a single, moderate, standard rate of tax," Rahul said. The manifesto also promises that essential goods, like food grains, life-saving drugs, vaccines, etc., and services of mass consumption will be "exempted from GST 2.0".
