Rajasthan assembly polls: SOPs to various sections, Gujjar reservation on Congress manifesto

SOPs to farmers, students, senior citizens and other sections of the society, besides ensuring five per cent reservation to Gujjar and other communities are part of the Congress manifesto announced on Sunday.

The party promised time-bound implementation of the manifesto if it retained power in the forthcoming assembly elections in Rajasthan.

Congress said it is committed to ensuring five per cent reservation under the ambit of law to Gujjar, Raika, Banzara and Gadiya Luhar communities.

"We want to strengthen our existing social welfare schemes and programmes. The party is confident about forming the next government and promises made in the manifesto will be fulfilled," Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said after releasing the manifesto along with other leaders.

"Our government will approve the poll manifesto in a Cabinet meeting after formation of the government and give it to officers to ensure its implementation. We fulfilled most of the promises we made in the manifesto during the 2008 elections," Gehlot said.

The ruling party also promised power supply for farming at subsidised rate, adequate arrangement to purchase crop from farmers on MSP, extending existing interest-free loan policy for farmers, cheaper loan to purchase milking animals and safe drinking water in rural households.

Solution to problems of para teachers, urdu para teachers, lok jumbish mitras, Anganwadi workers were also promised. Besides, time-bound promotions, free computer training to at least one member of economically weaker families and WiFi network at major centers are mentioned.

Identification of places for roadside vendors, plots for artisans on concession rates, apex bank for women only and basic amenities on priority basis in Dalit colonies were also promised.

For youths, five lakh new job opportunities in five years were promised.

The party also promised that counting of trees and their social audit will be conducted. Scheme for conservation of rivers, lakes and ponds besides strengthening of rivers' distributaries and policy for CNG vehicles to make the state pollution free will also be formulated.

It promised a sensitive, transparent government with zero corruption and zero harassment.

Congress also promised cash prize of Rs 1 lakh for students of Schedule Castes, OBC, Economically Backward Class and Specially Backward Class, as well as students securing position in merit list of board of secondary education.

It also promised financial assistance for coaching for competitive exams to minority community students on securing 60 per cent marks in graduation.

The manifesto also mentions sops to pensioners, minority, business, trade fraternity and artisans.

Congress announced that senior citizens will be sent for pilgrimage of their choice on government expenses once in five years.

Emphasis will also be laid on formation of policies to retain water of the state and ensuring that water of state's share does not flow to other states without inter-state agreements.

Opening of foreign language institutes, invitation to world's top universities to open their chapters in the state, setting up of Rural Development Board and sports academies in all districts were also promised.

Besides, setting up development authorities at divisional level, senior citizen and pensioners welfare board,journalists welfare board, call center under chief minister’s office for public grievance redressal, metro train in Jodhpur, child policy and infrastructure development in rural areas have also been promised.

A manifesto implementation committee will also be constituted, the party said.

The manifesto was jointly released at the PCC office by AICC General Secretary in charge of Rajasthan Gurudas Kamat, PCC President Dr Chandrabhan, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and Election Campaign Committee Chairman C P Joshi.