BJP dumps populism in Haryana manifesto
‘SANKALP PATRA’ Thrust on education to girl students and skill training for unemployed youth; Khattar says party believes more in ‘Yojana’ than ‘Ghoshna’
CHANDIGARH: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday released its manifesto for the October 21 Haryana assembly polls with no promises to waive farm debt or job reservations for women, saying it is more realistic and practical than its rival Congress’ “populist” manifesto.
The 25-page manifesto titled ‘Mhare Sapne Ka Haryana’, which the party described ‘Sankalp Patra’, was released in the presence of BJP working president JP Nadda, chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar and senior party leaders here.
Focusing on farmers, labourers, youth and industrialists, the manifesto pledged to give an interest-free crop loan of up to Rs 3 lakh to farmers and announced to complete a target of Rs 5,000 crore interest and penalty waiver on crop loans taken from cooperative banks. It promised to give collateral-free loan of up to Rs 3 lakh to people belonging to the Scheduled Castes.
CHANDIGARH: The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) steered clear of populism while unveiling its election manifesto titled ‘Mhare Sapnon ka Hariyana’ (Haryana of my dreams) on Sunday. The restraint underlined the confidence the party has in its poll narrative of nationalism and the belief in its ability to outperform its rivals.
Chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar said that the Sankalp Patra, as the manifesto is called by the BJP, was more about Yojana (plans) than mere Ghoshna (announcements). “It is a pragmatic and a doable manifesto,” said JP Nadda, working national president of the BJP.
TALKS ABOUT CREATING THREE NEW MINISTRIES
The manifesto talks about the creation of three new ministries – Youth Development and Self Employment for the welfare of youngsters, Antyodaya ministry for the welfare of economically poor, and a Foreign Liaison department to attract foreign investment. It also promises a Haryana Startup Mission to encourage start-ups by creating four entrepreneurship hubs. Khattar said manifesto was based on the philosophy of Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah, Sarve Santu Niramayah, (May all become happy, free from illness).
INTEREST-FREE FARM LOAN
The party promised interest-free farm loan of up to ₹3 lakh to farmers and to double their income by 2022. The manifesto adds that youngsters from scheduled castes would also get up to ₹3 lakh loan for starting their own business. They would not be asked to give a collateral.
FOCUS ON HEALTH
The manifesto talks about making Haryana tuberculosis free and free of corneal blindness. It promises provision of housing facilities for attendants of the sick in every medical college and district hospital, allowing every cancer patient and an attendant, free bus travel. It adds that every district hospital will be upgraded to a multi-speciality facility.
FAST TRACK COURTS FOR CRIME AGAINST WOMEN
For women, the manifesto promises a pink bus service, the creation of working women hostel in cities, sanitary napkin vending machines at public places, selfdefence training for schoolgirls and fast-track courts for trial of crimes against them, as safety was a priority.
ANTI–CORRUPTION MEASURES
Reiterating zero tolerance for corruption, the manifesto said a round-the-clock toll-free anti corruption call centre will be setup where citizens can make complaints about corrupt government officials.
HIKE IN OLD-AGE PENSION
The party also promised that monthly old-age pension will be hiked to ₹3,000 from ₹2,000 to alleviate the problem.
It also said that citizens having certificate of digital literacy and having annual income of less than ₹1.8 lakh or land holdings of less than 5 acre will be given smart phones.