State Congress elaborates on poll promises made in manifesto ‘Nyay Patra’
| Date :11-Apr-2024 |
By Bhavana ‘Aparajita’
Shukla
Five days after unveiling Congress’ manifesto for the upcoming Lok Sabha election at New Delhi, a panel of senior Congress leaders from the State held press conference in Bhopal on Wednesday and highlighted key points of ‘Nyay Patra’ as the manifesto is being called by the party. Along with Pradesh Congress Committee chief Jitu Patwari and President Pradesh Congress Media Cell Mukesh Nayak, veteran leader Digvijay Singh, former minister Arun Yadav, Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar, MP Vivek Tankha and Media Advisor K K Mishra were present. Each of the leader focused on five ‘pillars of justice’ and 25 guarantees mentioned in the poll promise document. elaborating on full employment promise, PCC chief Jitu Patwari said that it has included all sections and segments of the society. For youth the party ensures to provide job. Congress guarantees a new Right to Apprenticeship Act to provide a one year apprenticeship with a private or a public sector company to every diploma holder or college graduate below the age of 25. Apprentices will get 1 lakh a year. The apprenticeship will impart skills, enhance employability and provide full-time job opportunities for millions of youth.
It promises a nationwide socio-economic and caste census, along with various welfare measures such as the right to employment for the youth and financial assistance for marginalised sections of society. LoP Umang Singhar said that Congress will conduct a nation-wide socio-economic and caste census to enumerate the castes and sub-castes and their socio-economic conditions. Based on the data, we will strengthen the agenda for affirmative action, he added. “The Congress guarantees that it will pass a constitutional amendment to raise the 50 per cent cap on reservations for SC, ST and OBC. It will also include 10 per cent of those who are economic weaker section irrespective of their caste”. While senior leader Digvijay Singh reminded decision taken during his tenure regarding Panchayats and he said “Congress is committed to ensure that states enact laws in conformity with the framework of the central Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 (PESA) to establish ‘Village Council’ and ‘Autonomous District Council’ as envisaged in PESA. Power of Gram Sabha will be enhanced.” The manifesto details its plans to boost the economy and says its goal is full employment. The Congress says it intends to fill “vacancies” in Government jobs, it will launch an urban unemployment program and aim for better working conditions for people employed in the gig economy.
Making an attack on BJP’s anti-farmer policies and promises remained unfulfilled by the ruling party for the welfare of farmers, Arun Yadav said “In past ten years, cost on agriculture has been increased four times but there is no significant change in farmers’ income. It has caused stress among farmers. If congress voted to power, there will be law on minimum support price. Loan waiver schemes for farmers.” MP Vivek Tankha gave citation of his letter written to the Vice President of India expressing about shrinking sessions of parliament and asking to dedicate a day for opposition to raise public issues. He said “We promise that the two Houses of the Parliament will each meet for 100 days in a year and the great traditions of Parliament that prevailed in the past will be revived and scrupulously observed. One day in a week will be devoted to discuss the agenda suggested by the opposition benches in each House. The presiding officers of the two Houses will be required to sever their connection with any political party, remain neutral, and observe the age-old norm that the ‘Speaker does not speak’.
The absence of senior leader Kamal Nath, ostensibly on busy schedule due to Lok Sabha elections ground, at this press conference has exposed schism in the upper echelons of the party. To a question asked by a ‘The Hitavada’, why leaders have not spoke about Congress’ guarantee against corruption in this conference as Rahul Gandhi used to talk about crony capitalism, Jitu Patwari himself raises question on BJP government over corruption charges in Vyapam etc? The leaders dodged questions saying in manifesto booklet there is written about corruption.