One lakh government jobs, a decision for which will be taken in the first meeting of the new cabinet, an MNREGA-like scheme for urban areas, free electricity up to 300 units and Rs 1,500 to be given to women every month – these are amongst the promises made by the Congress in its manifesto for the upcoming Assembly elections in Himachal Pradesh.
The manifesto released by the Congress in Shimla today lists the issue of unemployment on top of the agenda. It promises one lakh government jobs, a decision for which will be taken in the first meeting of the cabinet, and five lakh jobs to be provided overall. Rs 10 crore per constituency and Rs 680 crore for the whole state will be allocated to provide interest-free loans to the youth to establish start-ups.
The Congress has pledged to bring in an employment policy according to which vacancies will have to be filled up within six months of the posts being advertised. Also, 80 per cent of jobs in private organisations in the state will be reserved for local youth.
While an MNREGA-like scheme will be implemented in urban areas, the duration of MNREGA in the villages will be increased to 150 days.
The manifesto also places focus on the concerns of government employees, who form a large chunk of the electorate. It states that all transfers ordered by the Jairam Thakur-led BJP government to “harass” employees will be cancelled. The old pension scheme will be implemented, it said.
An Agriculture and Horticulture Commission will be set up which will have representation of farmers and horticulturists, as per the manifesto. The suggestions from farmers and those involved in horticulture will be taken on board while deciding on prices of their produce, it said.
On the basis of the recommendations of the Commission, the minimum support price of apples of different categories will be decided, and it will be mandatory for the product to be purchased at prices that are not below the MSP, as per the manifesto. A food processing park will be set up in Solan, it said.
Ten kilos of milk will be purchased by the government from every cattle rearer, and on the lines of a scheme being run by the Congress government in Chhattisgarh, manure will be purchased from the farmers at the rate of Rs two per kilo, and the manure will be used to make vermicompost.
The farmers will be provided with support to purchase cattle fodder and a subsidy will be provided to every rural household to purchase four cows, the Congress has pledged.
The Congress has also promised to bring in a new tourism policy. A smart village scheme will be implemented to promote rural tourism. Loans at low-interest rates and an insurance scheme for youth who want to buy taxis, and taxi permits will be valid for a period of 15 years instead of ten. A special budget will be allocated to develop tourism in religious places.
Also amongst the other schemes promised by the Congress is providing 300 units of electricity free to every household. Senior citizens and their caregivers would be provided pilgrimage anywhere in the country free of cost once every four years. Also, women will be provided with Rs 1,500 per month.
