Congress Promises Jobs, Omission of Sedition Law in Manifesto

“The theme of the Congress manifesto is to marry wealth with welfare,” said P Chidambaram ahead of the release.

(Photo: PTI)

Video Producer: Hera Khan

Video Editor: Md. Ibrahim

Congress President Rahul Gandhi released his party’s “crowd-sourced” manifesto in the presence of Sonia Gandhi, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and other senior Congress leaders on Tuesday, 2 April.

Addressing the party workers and media, Gandhi said that the process of preparing the manifesto began a year ago, and that he did not want a “single lie” in it. He also emphasised on highlighting the “wishes” of the people in the party manifesto.

Here is a lowdown of what the Congress has promised to the people ahead of the polls.

‘NYAY’: Congress Promises Direct Income to Poor

Reiterating the promise that he made a week ago, Gandhi said that the Congress party will give Rs 6,000 monthly (Rs 72,000 annually) to 20 percent of the poorest families in India.

“Each family will be guaranteed a cash transfer of Rs. 72,000 a year and Rs 3,60,000 in five years,” Gandhi said. The manifesto also clearly states that the money would be transferred to the account of “a woman in the family”.

On the front of implementation, the scheme will be implemented in phases. “ There will a Design phase (3 months) followed by a Pilot and Testing phase (6–9 months) before roll-out,” the manifesto reads.

The Promise of Job Creation

Taking a dig at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for being unable to fufill its promise of creating 2 crore jobs, Gandhi has promised jobs to the youth and ease of starting new business to the entrepreneurs.

“Congress will fill all 4 lakh Central Government and institutional vacancies before March 2020, create an estimated 10 lakh seva mitra positions in every gram panchayat and urban local body,” the manifesto states.

Congress has also promised to create jobs for qualified teachers, doctors, nurses, paramedics, technicians, instructors and administrators through expansion of education and healthcare sectors.

Gandhi has also said that under the MNREGA scheme, the party will increase the guaranteed days of employment to 150 from the existing 100 days.

Congress Promises a Separate Farm Budget

As the issue of farm crisis continues to dominate the elections, Congress promised a twofold measure for the farmers.

Gandhi said that the party promises a separate “Kisan budget” to give priority to the issues affecting the farmers. Secondly, farm debt will be a civil liability and not proceeded under criminal offence.

“We will completely re-design the BJP government’s failed Fasal Bima Yojana (Crop Insurance Scheme) that has only enriched the insurance companies at the cost of the farmers. We will direct insurance companies to offer crop insurance and charge premiums on the principle of ‘no profit, no loss’,” the manifesto read.

Review of Law: Omit Sedition Law

In its manifesto the Congress has also promised to review certain laws, rules and regulation including section 124A, that defines sedition.

“Omit Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code (that defines the offence of ‘sedition’) that has been misused and, in any event, has become redundant because of subsequent laws.”

Congress Manifesto

Congress has also promised to make defamation a “civil offence”.

Women Empowerment

The Congress party has also promised to pass the Bill to provide 33 percent reservation to women in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies in the first session of the Parliament.

The Bill has been stalled for years by Parliamentarians.

The Congress has also promised to enforce Equal Remuneration Act, 1976 that allows same wage to both men and women for similar work.

The Congress has also promised to built night shelter for migrant women workers, to provide safe and hygienic toilets, sanitary napkin vending machines in public spaces.

‘AFSPA in J&K to be Reviewed’

Congress has also promised to review the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, which grants special powers to the armed forces in “disturbed areas”. It has also promised to move more troops closer to the border to stop infiltration and reduce the presence of army and CAPFs in the Kashmir valley.

The grand old party has also promised talks with the people of Jammu and Kashmir without pre-conditions.

Healthcare

The Congress has promised to enact the Right to Healthcare Act to provide healthcare services to every citizen.

The Congress has also promised to promote AYUSH, the Indian system of medicine, in the provision of healthcare services.