Cong promises farmers loan waiver, free power

Manifesto mentions job quotas, free bus rides for women

Chandigarh, Oct. 11: The Congress Friday released its Haryana poll manifesto, promising a farm loan waiver, reservation in private companies for local people and a slew of benefits for women — including job quotas, pensions and free bus rides.

It also promised free electricity to categories of farmers and domestic consumers, and unemployment allowance to college degree holders.

In a controversial poll promise, the Congress said 75 per cent of jobs in private companies will be reserved for the youth of Haryana. It did not elaborate how this policy would be implemented.

The “sankalp patra” said loans to farmers will be waived “within 24 hours” if the party comes to power after the October 21 assembly polls.

Ghulam Nabi Azad, the All India Congress Committee general secretary in charge of the state, said there is a special focus on women.

The party promised 33 per cent reservation to women in government

and private jobs in the state.

Apart from this, a Congress government will reserve 50 per cent of the jobs in Panchayati Raj institutions, municipalities, corporations and city councils for women.

Women who are widows, disabled or unmarried will get an allowance of `5,100 per month. Pregnant women will get a monthly stipend of `3,100 from the third month of their pregnancy.

There will also be a 50 per cent rebate on house tax if the property is owned by a woman, the Congress said in the manifesto released here. Women will also ride free in Haryana Roadways buses.

The 30-page document pledged to give loan

waivers to farmers “within 24 hours”. The benefits of the waiver will also be provided to landless farmers, it said.

Free electricity will be given to farmers who own up to two acres of land, it said. Up to 300 units of power will also be free for all domestic consumers.

Unemployed postgraduates will get an allowance of `10,000 per month and unemployed graduates will be given `7,000 per month, the manifesto said.

If voted to power, the Congress government will offer annual scholarships of `12,000 to students from class 1 to 10 and `15,000 for those in classes 11 and 12 if they are from the scheduled caste or from extremely backward classes.