Union Minister of State for Food Processing Industries and Jal Shakti, Prahlad Patel said the BJP’s manifesto is entirely focused on the welfare of poor. He underlined the provisions for women's empowerment and agricultural progress in the manifesto, while addressing a press conference, on Monday. Patel said the government is providing free grains to 80 crore people for the past three years and now Prime Minister, Narendra Modi has extended it for the next five years. He said through the manifesto, BJP aims to fulfill the dreams of farmers, women and poor in the next five years. Patel assured farmers of fair prices, with wheat at Rs 2700 and paddy at Rs 3100 per quintal. Tendu leaves will be procured at Rs 4000 per standard. Women will benefit with cylinders at Rs 450. The construction of Vindhya Expressway and Central India Expressway will be initiated, Airports will be developed in Rewa and Singrauli and metro trains will run in Gwalior and Jabalpur.

 

Narrating key promises of the manifesto, Patel said the party has vowed for establishment of Eklavya schools in tribal areas, pucca houses to Ladli Bahna under the Mukhya Mantri housing scheme, Monthly assistance of Rs 1500 to the elderly and divyang, opening medical colleges in every ST block, free education for economically challenged children up to 12th grade, inclusion of mustard oil and sugar in poor welfare grain scheme, construction of 13 cultural centers in MP and allocation of Rs 3 lakh crores will be spent for tribal welfare.

 

Replying to a query, Patel suggested that Rahul Gandhi should clarify his caste and religion before aspiring to lead the entire country. He criticized the Congress for using limitless vocabulary because they are aware of their defeat. Patel said Congress has ruled by dividing society, but now the public understands everything. On a question about the Old Pension Scheme, he said there is a need to prioritize the responsibility of giving the needy and this is a policy matter.