SHIMLA, Nov 1:
The ruling Congress party in Himachal Pradesh in its re-election bid on Wednesday promised to grant interest-free loans to farmers, creation of 1.50 lakh jobs in the Government sector and free laptops to 50,000 college students.
Releasing its manifesto for the Nov 9 Assembly elections, the party said it would provide 90 per cent subsidy on seeds, fertilizers, agriculture implements and anti-hail-net to farmers and waive loans up to one lakh rupees.
Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, who is projected to head the next Government, Health Minister Kaul Singh Thakur and AICC general secretary and state in-charge Shushil Kumar Shinde released the manifesto at party headquarters here.
The party declared to hike daily wage from Rs 210 to Rs 350 and reduce value added tax on petrol and diesel. It also assured workers on contract in the unorganized sector that their services would be regularised after they have served two years of the contract period. The party said that it is committed for efficient financial administration and prudent revenue generation, and would not compromise with corruptions as all graft cases would be probed in a time-bound manner. in recent months, it has come under severe attack from the opposition Bharatiya Janata party, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying that entire leadership of the Congress is “out on bail,” “Everything here is on bail.
The party is on bail, the Government is on bail,” the Prime Minister said at public meeting in Bilaspur last month.Chief Minister Singh himself is battling serious corruption charges against him. Speaking to reporters, Singh said the BJP’s decision to field former chief minister PK Dhumal would have no impact on prospects of the Congress. In social welfare front, the manifesto promised enhancement of pension by 5, 10 and 15 per cent after the age of 65, 70 and 75 years, and additional increments to employees after fourth, ninth and fourteenth year of service. (UNI)
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