Keshubhai Patel, chief of Gujarat Parivartan Party (GPP), announced on Sunday an allowance for jobless youths, land for landless Maldharis and food coupons for Adivasis if his party came to power after the assembly elections.
The GPP said that under the Yuva Swabhiman Yojana, youths unemployed for more than one year after registering at an employment exchange would be given Rs1500 to Rs2000 per month as allowance. He promised 2-acre land for every landless Maldhari besides food coupons for Adivasis.
The GPP also promised it that it will set up a special squad to check cow slaughter.
Further, unemployed youths who had not studied beyond class 10 would be trained to help them get employment, Keshubhai said. He also announced financial aid of up to Rs10,000 per person for starting a business.
Criticising the Modi government, the GPP said that after giving away gauchar (pasture) land to industries, the state government was now asking the Railways to give its land for use as pasture land.
“Every drought is blamed on the Centre but no one questions the wasteful expenditure of the state government in organising various rallies and celebrations at a time when the state is facing a crisis,” he said.
Keshubhai further said that despite there being a drought in the state, the state government was planning three celebrations this Independence Day. “Couldn’t the funds for these celebrations be put to better use?” he said.
The GPP also announced that it would provide 2 acres of land to Maldharis who do not have land or are not into farming. The land given to Maldharis would help them use it to keep their cattle. Gordhan Zadaphia said the land given thus will not be transferable or sold.
Keshubhai said that to help the “over 70% of the malnourished Adivasis in the state”, the GPP will give them food coupons worth Rs800 per family every month.
Announcing an Annpurna Aahar Sahay Package, Keshubhai said that the life expectancy of Adivasis in Gujarat is 10 years less than in other states. “This indicates that Gujarat Advisais are malnourished in comparison to tribal people in other states. With the food coupons, Adivasi families will be able to buy grains, pulses and milk which are currently beyond their reach,” he said.
The GPP has promised new employment opportunities under Gokul Gram-2 plan if it comes to power after the elections. It also plans to provide broadband and Wi-Fi facilities in villages, apart from solar lights and RO plants.
