Manifesto released: Congress promises 1 lakh jobs, 8 free cylinders

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 18

Hours before the campaign for the Assembly elections ended, the state Congress in its 13-point manifesto released on Friday promised to end the “mafia raj” in sand, liquor and cable businesses, while announcing Rs 1,100 for women every month, eight free gas cylinders per year and one lakh government jobs every year.

Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, PCC chief Navjot Singh Sidhu and campaign committee chairman Sunil Jakhar flew from different districts of the state to Chandigarh to release the manifesto.

Meanwhile, manifesto committee chairman Partap Singh Bajwa was conspicuous by his absence.

The Congress party has promised to give Rs 5,000 to girls reaching Class V, Rs 10,000 to those reaching Class X, and Rs 20,000 and a computer to girls reaching Class XII.

With Sidhu by his side, Channi promised to implement his “Punjab model”. “It will be a teamwork and Sidhu will have the main role. The government will be run under the guidance of the party,” he noted.

Sidhu told the media that ending the “mafia raj” would pave the way for implementing 12 other points in the manifesto.

“The manifesto reflects Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s vision. If the Congress returns to power, its first decision will be to give one lakh government jobs every year,” he said.

The PCC chief further said the manifesto was inspired by Guru Nanak Dev and it was the gateway to change people’s lives.

“The grand old party will end the mafia raj by creating government corporations for liquor sale and sand mining. The party also promises procurement of oilseed, pulses and corn by government agencies,” said Sidhu.

“Anybody can be the pilot when the sea is calm. But when there’s a storm, we should be able to convert adversity into an opportunity. That’s the aim of this manifesto,” the Congress leader added.

Women to get Rs 1,100 every month

• Corporations to manage liquor, mining, transport & cable
• In all, 170 services to be made available online
• All ‘kuccha’ homes to be made ‘pucca’ in six months
• Old-age pension to be increased to Rs3,100
• Procurement of pulses, oilseed and maize at MSP
• Free education to needy student till university level
• MGNREGA wages to be increased to Rs350
• Man days in MGNREGA to be increased from 100 to 150
• Investment fund of Rs1,000 cr for start-ups

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