Congress pushes Soft Hindutva envelope in Rajasthan, promises more grant for ‘gaushalas’
The Congress pushed the envelope on its ‘Soft Hindutva’ strategy in Rajasthan by including the cow as a subject in its election manifesto. The ‘Jan Ghoshna Patra’, released by PCC chief Sachin Pilot and former CM Ashok Gehlot here on Thursday, promises to increase the grants for gaushalas (cow shelters) in Rajasthan.
After Karnataka and Gujarat, the Congress has started recognising issues centric to the majority Hindus to bring them closer to the party. In its manifesto, the Congress promised to set up cow shelter in every panchayat in Madhya Pradesh. Now, in Rajasthan too, the cow as a subject has been included in its manifesto. The party has announced that it would come up with cow shelters if it comes to power.
BJP rebel legislator Ghanshyam Tiwari and Congress had targeted the state government for the cut in grant for the gaushalas. The Congress has now promised to increase the grants for cow shelters.
Two days ago, the BJP released its manifesto which announced the formation of State Gauchar Development Authority for the development of Gauchar lands. Congress also announced the formation of Gauchar Development Board. The Congress said water, fodder, medical and shed facility will be ensured in the gaushalas.
WHAT Jan Ghoshna Patra offes
Party promises to waive farm loans, provide free education to women
Farm sector
- Farmer loans to be waived within 10 days
- Farm equipment to be out of GST ambit
Cow welfare
- To improve plight of bovines; better fodder, sheds
- Gochar land board to clear encroa-chments on pastureland
Health sector
- Bill on right to health to ensure services to every citizen
- Free medicines, treatment and tests under its ambit
Education
- Cut in duty hours for teachers, study hours for students
- 20,000 schools shut by Raje government to be reopened
- Free sanitary napkins in colleges, govt schools
- Coaching for competitive exams in government colleges
Women
- Round-the-clock helpline
- Crèche, working women hostel at all district headquarters
- Joint ownership for wife and husband under rehab packages
- Scheme to rehabilitate sexual harassment victims
Minorities
- Additional Rs 500 aid to each minority girl student who scores over 75% under CM higher education scholarship scheme
- Assistance to minority students to prepare for competitive exams
Unemployed
- Rs 3,500 monthly allowance for educated unemployed youth
- Loans for enterprises at cheaper interest rates
- Free education to girl students to be regulated
Reservation
- Five per cent reservation to Gurjars, four other castes under SBC (special backward class) quota
- Economic backward general class development board to be set up
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 "Ashok Gehlot, Sachin Pilot")
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