Rajasthan polls: Congress manifesto covers farm-loan waivers, free girl education
Loan waiver to farmers, free education to girls, unemployment allowance of up to Rs. 3,500 to educated youth are among the promises Rajasthan Congress has made in its election manifesto released in Jaipur today. AICC General Secretary Avinash Pande, Pradesh Congress Committee President Sachin Pilot, former CM Ashok Gehlot and Chairman of the manifesto committee Harish Choudhary released the manifesto titled 'Jan Ghoshna Patra'.
Congress prepared manifesto based on 2L public suggestions, says Pilot
Pilot said the party reached out to people through online and offline modes and received nearly 2L suggestions before coming out with its manifesto. He said the party aims to implement the manifesto in a time-bound manner on formation of a Congress government in Rajasthan.
Gehlot said Congress will reopen universities closed by BJP government
Gehlot said the party's manifesto was based on "Rahul model" as people's suggestions were taken before drafting it. He said that BJP government had closed universities set up by former Congress government and promised that those universities will be opened again. Gehlot said the previous government had opened universities in the name of Dalit-icon Bhimrao Ambedkar and freedom fighter and Congress leader Haridev Joshi.
Congress wants agricultural equipment exempted from GST
In the manifesto, the Congress said it would like to have agriculture equipment and tractors exempted from Goods and Services Tax (GST). The party said recommendation to bring petrol and diesel under GST will be made from the GST Council.
Other promises include quality health service, Wi-Fi facility, elderly pension
Promises of promoting organic farming, pension to elderly farmers, promotion to export crops like onion, garlic, guar (cluster-bean) and cotton, development of dairy industry, Wi-Fi and internet facility to every panchayat, were made. The party promised to ensure quality health services, availability of wheat to BPL families at Re. 1/kg, and no fare in state-run buses for candidates traveling to appear in competitive exams.
Congress to work on rail connectivity, push industrial growth
Congress also announced to expedite work on rail connectivity in Dungarpur, Banswara, and Tonk districts by working on Ajmer-Tonk-Sawaimadhopur, Dungarpur-Banswara-Ratlam railway line projects. Rail line is a prominent poll issue in Tonk where Pilot is contesting elections. To push industrial growth, the party said, companies working in the area of robotics, artificial intelligence, nano technology, quantum computing, fifth generation wireless technologies will be promoted.
Congress promises new tourism policies, women safety, journalists' protection
Congress has also promised new industry and tourism policies, promotion of local art, culture and heritage; a 24X7 women-helpline, women ITI and polytechnic college in every district, journalists' protection act, advocates' protection act, implementation of accountability act, and steps for security of all religious places.
