April 2, 2019
NEW DELHI: The Congress on Tuesday released its national manifesto for the
forthcoming parliamentary elections here promising a new Minimum Income Guarantee
scheme for the poor people and introduction of a separate budget for farmers
like the previous railway budget.
The manifesto was released by party president Rahul Gandhi, UPA chairperson
Sonia Gandhi and former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in the presence other
party leaders.
The 55-page document, titled Congress Will Deliver, has sections like Kaam
(Employment and Growth), Daam (An Economy That Works), Shaan (Pride in Our Hard
and Soft Power), Sushashan (Good Governance Through Independent and Accountable
Institutions), Swabhiman (Self Esteem for the Deprived) and Samman (A Life of
Dignity for All).
The main thrust is on the income redistribution scheme named as Nyuntam Aay
Yojana (Nyay) or Mininum Income Guarantee Scheme which promises of Rs 72,000
to the 20 % of India's poorest people every year.
Next in priority is a separate budget like the earlier railway budget where
every scheme relating to the farmer will be spelt out.
The Congress does not agree with the NDA's universal healthcare and it will
have a new scheme where the public does not have to pay.
Due to the demonetisation crores of jobs have been lost, the Congress alleges.
Under the NREGA, which was an earlier UPA scheme, the number of days of employment
guaranteed will be raised from 100 to 150.
Other sectors of focus are rural development, simplifying tax system, terrorism
which targeted leaders like Indira Gandhi and and Rajiv Gandhi, Indo-Pakistan
relations, Kashmir issue on which interlocutor pattern of discourse with various
groups will be introduced, climate change and air pollution as public health
emergency, a new national free health care system.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said the manifesto consists of agendas aiming
to break up the nation. "Some of the ideas are positively dangerous," he said.
Jaitley said that the Congress party is under the influence of jihadists and
Naxalites. Those dangerous ideas have been framed by Congress president Rahul
Gandhi's friends 'the tukde tukde gang'.
BJP president Amit Shah said the manifesto is a "pack of lies" and an insult
to the soldiers. The promise to repeal Section 124A (sedition law) and review
Armed Forces Special Powerrs Act will only lower the morale of the armed forces,
he said.
(Full text of the Congress manifesto)
