Congress Manifesto: A Bundle of Lies or a Bold Vision for India? This article outlines the promises made by the Congress party in their manifesto for the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections.
The release of the Congress party’s manifesto for the forthcoming Lok Sabha Elections has sparked widespread discussion and debate. The manifesto serves as a blueprint of the party’s vision and commitments for the nation’s future. However, it has faced significant skepticism and criticism, particularly from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Sudhanshu Trivedi, a prominent BJP figure, has denounced the manifesto as a “bundle of lies,” intensifying the ongoing discourse surrounding its credibility. As the nation gears up for the elections, the content and authenticity of the manifesto are under intense scrutiny.
Congress Manifesto – Key Highlights
The promises outlined by the Congress in its manifesto for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, aimed at attracting voters, are categorized below for easy understanding.
Job Creation
- 𝐁𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐈 𝐁𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐎𝐒𝐀: The Congress pledges to create 30 lakh jobs in the Central Government as per a published job calendar, offering hope to millions of job seekers across the country.
- 𝐏𝐄𝐇𝐋𝐈 𝐍𝐀𝐔𝐊𝐑𝐈 𝐏𝐀𝐊𝐊𝐈 : The manifesto proposes a one-year apprenticeship for all educated youth, providing them with Rs. 1 lakh/year (Rs. 8,500/month) apart from valuable skills and experience.
- The Congress pledges to augment and modernize the strength of the Central Armed Police Forces.
- The Congress promises to ensure that 33% of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) are women.
- The Congress plans to double the current number of Anganwadi workers and create an additional 14 lakh jobs.
- The Congress aims to abolish the Agnipath program and restore regular recruitment processes for the armed forces.
Youth Empowerment
- 𝗬𝘂𝘃𝗮 𝗥𝗼𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗶: A corpus of Rs. 5,000 crore will be allocated for startups, with allotments across all districts of India, catering specifically to youth below 40 years of age.
- The Congress will offer sports scholarships amounting to ₹10,000 per month.
Women’s Welfare
- Savitribai Phule Hostels: The Central Government will double the number of working women’s hostels in the country, with at least one hostel in each district.
- Mahalakshmi: Congress promises providing financial assistance of Rs. 1 lakh per year to one woman in every poor family.
- Aadhi Aabaadi, Poora Haq: The manifesto also promises 50% reservation for women in new central government jobs, aiming to enhance gender representation in the workforce.
- Adhikar Maitris: An Adhikar Maitri will be appointed in every Panchayat to serve as a paralegal to educate women and assist them in enforcing their legal rights.
Agricultural Reforms
- 𝐆𝐒𝐓 𝐌𝐮𝐤𝐭 𝐊𝐡𝐞𝐭𝐢: Farmers will be provided relief from GST, with the regime set to be amended to eliminate taxation on agricultural materials.
- Beema Bhugtan Ka Seedha Transfer: The PM Fasal Bima Yojana will undergo redesigning to ensure prompt payment to farmers within 30 days of crop loss, directly into their bank accounts.
- Sahi Aayat-Niryaat Neeti: A stable import-export policy will be implemented to benefit farmers.
Social Security
- Shakti Ka Samman: The Congress guarantees double the salary contribution of the Centre for all ASHA, Anganwadi, and Mid-Day Meal workers, recognizing their invaluable contribution to society.
- 𝗚𝗶𝗴 𝗘𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝘆 𝗠𝗲𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗶𝗸 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗮: New laws will be enacted to ensure better working conditions and social security for workers, underpinning the party’s commitment to labor rights.
- The Congress pledges to double the central government’s contribution to pensions, increasing it to ₹1,000 per month for senior citizens, widows, and persons with disabilities.
Education and Welfare
- 𝗣𝗮𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗸 𝗦𝗲 𝗠𝘂𝗸𝘁𝗶: Measures will be taken to end paper leaks through the implementation of robust laws, safeguarding the integrity of the education system.
- The Congress will promote the establishment of school fee regulation committees by state governments.
- The manifesto promises to ensure equitable access to education by providing mobile phones to all students of classes IX to XII, facilitating remote learning opportunities.
Statehood and Governance
- The Congress will restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and Puducherry, fulfilling longstanding demands for political autonomy.
- The Government of NCT of Delhi Act, 1991 will be amended to ensure that the Lieutenant Governor (LG) acts on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers of NCT, Delhi, except on matters concerning the three reserved subjects.
- The Congress pledges to grant Special Category status to Andhra Pradesh.
Conflict Resolution
- The Congress will ensure that appropriate compensation and redressal are provided to victims and survivors of the conflict in Manipur.
- Congress will appoint a Reconciliation Commission for political and administrative settlement in Manipur.
- Congress will remove the present state government of Manipur and heal the wounds between communities.
- The Congress will seek a final solution and agreement with the Naga groups.
Tribal Rights
- The Congress will amend the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution to incorporate the tribal areas of Ladakh, acknowledging and preserving their unique cultural and political identity.
Conclusion
While Congress Manifesto outlines an ambitious roadmap for India’s future, doubts persist regarding the sincerity and feasibility of its proposals. Sudhanshu Trivedi’s assertion that the manifesto is a “bundle of lies” has further fueled doubts among the electorate.
Critics argue that the promises made in the manifesto lack concrete plans for implementation and appear to be politically motivated rather than grounded in practicality. Moreover, the track record of previous governments and their ability to deliver on similar promises has raised doubts about the credibility of the Congress party’s commitments.
As the nation approaches the Lok Sabha elections, the public’s discernment will play a pivotal role in determining the fate of the Congress manifesto. It is ultimately the voters who will cast their ballots based on their assessment of the manifesto’s authenticity and potential to bring about meaningful change. The democratic process will provide the answer as to whether the Congress manifesto is indeed a bundle of lies or a genuine vision for India’s future.
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