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Congress promises wheat at Rs. 2 a kg in Madhya Pradesh

Vinay Kumar

— PHOTO: A.M. Faruqui

Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia addressing a Congress meeting in the Govindpura constituency in Bhopal on Wednesday.

Bhopal: With just a week to go for the Assembly polls in Madhya Pradesh, the opposition Congress on Wednesday released its manifesto, promising a responsible, accountable and transparent government and unveiling a slew of welfare measures for farmers.

The party said it would provide interest-free loans to farmers and give free power supply of up to five horsepower for irrigation.

For the poor sections, the party promised wheat at Rs. 2 a kg and 35 kg of foodgrains a month to below the poverty line (BPL) families through the public distribution system. A subsidy of Rs. 2 a litre on kerosene would be provided to poor families.

The manifesto was released here by senior leader and External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, in the presence of State Congress chief Suresh Pachouri, Union Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs V. Narayanasamy and actor Raj Babbar, who recently joined the party after quitting the Samajwadi Party.

Mr. Mukherjee, while admitting that the manifesto should have been released earlier, told journalists that the party kept the welfare of all sections in mind while drafting the document.

The Congress said it would waive farmers’ loans as per the Central scheme and step up efforts to give relief to those who defaulted on loan instalments. It also promised waiver of disputed electricity bills of farmers, adequate power supply during cultivation season and withdrawal of all cases on recovery of electricity bills filed against the farmers during the BJP rule.

“While the Congress government would provide wheat at Rs. 2 a kg to BPL families, very poor families which fall under the Antyodaya category would be given wheat at Re.1.” Besides, salt would be provided free of cost to both categories, Mr. Pachouri said.

The State Congress chief said that besides providing an unemployment allowance to all jobless youth, a new policy for youth would be formulated. Under another scheme, every girl child would receive more than Rs. 2 lakh on her attaining maturity. A new policy for women’s welfare would also come into force.

Welfare of minorities

Other highlights of the manifesto include full benefits of the Sixth Pay Commission to State government employees, constitution of a cell for the implementation of Sachar Committee recommendations for the welfare of minorities and efforts for all-round development and security of minorities.

If it came to power, the Congress would release an annual progress report of the government so that it remained accountable and responsible to all citizens. The party attacked the ruling BJP on alleged instances of corruption.

It also promised to introduce transparency in administration at all levels and make public details of property and other assets of the Chief Minister, all Ministers and public servants.

The party promised to set up a district reconstitution board.

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