Cong promises caste census, cash transfers, legalising MSP
NEW DELHI: Right to apprenticeship, a legal guarantee for MSP, passing a constitutional amendment to raise the 50 per cent cap on reservations for SCs, STs and OBCs, a nationwide caste census and scrapping of Agnipath scheme are among the promises made by the Congress in its Lok Sabha polls manifesto released on Friday.
The manifesto, focusing on five “pillars of justice” and 25 guarantees under them, was released at the AICC headquarters in the presence of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and former party chiefs Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.
In the 45-page document titled ‘Nyay Patra’, featuring pictures of Kharge and Rahul and Bharat Jodo Yatras, the opposition party said it would implement
10 per cent quota in jobs, educational institutions for economically weaker sections (EWS) for all castes, communities without discrimination if it comes to power.
Kharge urged everyone to have a “close look at our manifesto and you will see a ‘shandaar tasveer’ (beautiful picture) of our country in it”. Rahul Gandhi said the manifesto represents the voice of the people as it has been prepared taking into account their views and suggestions.
The Congress also promised full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, besides giving special status to Andhra Pradesh, full statehood to Puducherry, and to amend the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act, 1991 to declare that Lt Governor shall act on the aid and advice of Council of Ministers of NCT, Delhi.
Noting that demonetisation, the Rafale deal, Pegasus spyware and the Electoral Bonds scheme are “cloak for corruption”, the Congress said it will probe these “dubious” deals and schemes and bring to law those who made illegal gains through these measures.
It also promised to fill nearly 30 lakh vacancies in sanctioned posts at various levels in central government and said Rajasthan model of cashless insurance of up to Rs 25 lakh will be adopted for universal healthcare across the country.
The Congress will pass a constitutional amendment to raise the 50% cap on reservations for SC, ST and OBC if it comes to power in the general elections beginning April 19, the party promised.