The Congress also promised to eventually remove water casinos from the rivers of Goa.
The Goa Congress released its poll manifesto on Monday in Panjim in the presence of former Union Minister Jyotiradiya Scindia, former CM Pratapsinh Rane and Luizinho Faleiro. Their manifesto included issues that are likely to become flash points in the upcoming elections including the mining industry, floating casinos and free petrol for students.
The Congress also released a separate manifesto for the youth which promised WiFi facilities in colleges and universities, free coaching through e-courses for students for competitive exams and five-litres of free petrol per month for students. The Congress has also said that 60% of their candidates would be new.
For households below poverty line, '2-3-7 scheme' was introduced under which wheat would be provided for Rs 2/kg, rice at Rs 3/kg and sugar at Rs 7/kg. Apart from that, BPL families were also promised free water.
Provisions to provide food at a cheaper rate have also been made in the manifesto. The Congress promised canteens along the line of Amma canteens in Tamil Nadu and to scrap the entry tax for out-of-state vehicles transporting food grains, fish, vegetables and fruits. They also spoke about floating casinos and promised to remove them permanently from the rivers of Goa.
For the mining sector, Congress has promised that they will restore mining corporations as per the recommendations of Supreme Court and provide one truck per family to help affected families repay mining loans. Apart from that, GPS units will be installed in all the trucks.
Earlier last week, Congress entered into a seat-sharing pact with Goa Forward and other political parties, deciding to contest 36 of the 40 assembly seats and leaving four for other parties including the newly-floated political party. Under the arrangement, Congress has left two seats - Fatorda and Siolim - for Goa Forward. Vijai Sardesai, the fledgling outfit's mentor, is contesting from Fatorda.
Congress has agreed to let its expelled legislator Atanasio Monserratte, who has floated his own outfit United Goan Party, fight from from the Panaji seat. Independent legislator Rohan Khaunte will be supported by Congress in the Porvorim constituency. "We want to defeat the BJP which ran a Government of U turns," All India Congress Committee General Secretary Digvijay Singh said, adding that his party is supporting these non-Congress candidates to defeat BJP.
Congress had earlier ruled out aligning with NCP, a former partner which asked for two seats Benaulim and Vasco. However, Congress and Goa Forward candidates will face each other in Saligao and Velim segments, where the two parties have no understanding.
(With PTI inputs)
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