Kumar Bahukhandi
Srinagar: Congress on Monday September 16 released its party’s manifesto for the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections. In this, an attempt has been made to appease all sections of the society. The party has made many promises including the formation of Lokayukta to deal with corrupt officials, land policy for farmers, unemployment allowance to youth, women empowerment and cheap coaching facilities for poor students. Congress said in its manifesto that it will put pressure on the central government to give statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. Concessions will be given to the people of the valley in jobs, government contracts, land allocation and natural resources. A white paper will be issued regarding corruption. Lokayukta will be formed within 100 days of the formation of the government to investigate all corrupt officials. Apart from this, all MLAs will be empowered for the development of their assembly constituencies.
The manifesto states that the Congress will restore the Legislative Council on coming to power and will give proper representation to the deprived sections like OBCs and minorities. Apart from this, panchayat and urban local body elections will be held under the 73rd and 74th constitutional amendments. The party said that Lokpal will also be formed to investigate corruption cases, so that the investigation of corruption cases can be expedited. The party has promised to formulate a land policy for the convenience of farmers after coming to power so that marginal farmers can be prevented from being evicted from their land. The party has promised about giving unemployment allowance of Rs 3,500 per year to the youth. It has also said about taking appropriate steps towards filling the vacant posts in various departments. For that , a job calendar will be issued. The applicant will have to pay the examination fee only once a year.
On coming to power, poor women will be given Rs 3,500 every month in their accounts, so that they can be saved from financial difficulties. Under Sakhi Shakti, every self-help group will be given interest-free financial assistance of up to Rs 5 lakh. This will empower them financially. Apart from this, the salary of women working in Anganwadi will be doubled and women police rooms will be established in every women police station. The manifesto states that a modern education model will be established in Jammu and Kashmir, so that no person is deprived of education. For this, model boarding schools will be built in every district. Appointments will be made to the vacant posts of teachers. Affordable coaching facilities will be provided to students of economically weaker sections. The party has promised an insurance coverage of Rs 5 lakh for medical treatment including medicine expenses if it comes to power. It has been said to make the process of recruitment in medical institutions like AIIMS transparent.
