Congress has released a manifesto for Jammu and Kashmir on Monday evening. It has been said that state status should be given back to Jammu and Kashmir. There is no mention of Article 370 in the entire manifesto.
The party has announced additional financial assistance of Rs 4,000 per year to landless farmers and unemployment allowance of Rs 3,500 per month to unemployed youth for one year.
The party has promised that the 5 kg ration given to poor families will be increased to 11 kg. At the same time, to fill up 1 lakh vacancies in government departments, the government has promised to prepare a job calendar within 30 days of creation.
Apart from this, under Mahila Samman Yojana, it has been announced to give assistance of Rs 3,000 per month to the female head of financially weak family.
What for whom in Congress election manifesto?
For the youth
- Unemployment allowance of up to Rs 3500 per month will be given to the youth. 1 lakh vacant government posts will be filled in various departments. A job calendar will be released in the first 30 days to fill the remaining government vacancies.
- Applicants have to pay the examination fee only once in a year. Priority will be given to local people in jobs. Teachers will be recruited on a large scale.
- Teachers will be provided on ad-hoc basis to closed schools in hard zones. On-the-spot recruitment will be done in Special Border Recruitment for Jammu and Kashmir Police, Fire Brigade and Forest Protection Force.
For women
- Under the Mahila Samman Yojana, assistance of Rs 3,000 per month to women heads of economically weaker section families. Under Sakhi Shakti, each women self-help group will be given an interest-free loan of up to Rs 5 lakh.
- Assistance will be provided under daughter scholarship scheme for female students. State share in honorarium of Anganwadi workers, assistants, MDM workers and Asha workers will be doubled. Women will be made aware of their legal rights.
- A women police cell will be created in every police station. Panchayats will be encouraged to set up women's clubs and cultural centres.
For farmers and agriculture
- Additional financial assistance of Rs 4,000 per year will be provided to landless, tenant farming and land owning farming families. Will arrange 99 year lease to landless farmers cultivating on state land.
- The minimum price of apple crop will be fixed at Rs 72 per kg. 100% crop insurance will be provided for all crops against natural calamities. To ensure 100% irrigation to the farmers of Jammu and Kashmir for all district-level irrigation schemes Rs. A fund of 2500 crores will be created.
- Wholesale grain markets will be created in each block to reduce the cost of middlemen. A framework will be devised to provide relief in electricity bills. Farmers will be given tractor loan on mortgage without any guarantee.
For health and pension
- An insurance coverage of Rs 25 lakh will be provided for treatment, tests and medicines. Mobile clinics equipped with ambulances will be deployed in every taluk. Health care will be provided to them within 30 minutes.
- Expert committees will be constituted to meet the shortage of doctors and other staff in rural areas. The recruitment process of institutes like AIIMS will be made transparent.
- Possible ways of restoring the old pension scheme will be explored. Old age, widow and disability pensions will be enhanced. Monthly assistance will be started for orphans.
- It will be made hassle-free and easy by adopting a door-to-door step verification process.
For minorities
- The rehabilitation program started by former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh for Kashmiri Pandits will be implemented again. Work will be done to create an environment conducive to the safe and dignified return and rehabilitation of the displaced Kashmiri Pandit community.
- Employment arrangements will be made for migrant youth. Decisions will be taken regarding protection and conservation of sacred pilgrimage sites and heritage. A minority commission will be established in the first 100 days. The demand to include Punjabi in the official languages of Jammu and Kashmir will be considered.
for education
- Modern model schools with all facilities will be constructed at block level to provide good and affordable education to all students. A model boarding school will be established in every city.
- Teachers will be recruited to overcome the shortage of teachers. Special coaching facility will be provided to weaker section students.
Image Credit: (Divya-Bhaskar): Images/graphics belong to (Divya-Bhaskar).
