BJP unveils manifesto; vows to distribute cows to 1 lakh people

Hyderabad: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) State unit on Wednesday released the election manifesto for the ensuing Assembly elections. The party made a series of promises covering 15 sectors including distribution of cows to one lakh people on the occasion of festivals and establishment of five acres of Goseva centres in a bid to give a fillip to the culture, language and heritage.

Addressing media after releasing the party elections manifesto Union Health Minister J P Nadda, party State president Dr K Laxman said the manifesto has taken into consideration successful schemes being implemented in 19 BJP ruled States, besides taking into consideration the views of tens and thousands of people.

Laxman said elaborate exercise has been done which reflects the aspirations and hopes of various sections of the society fought for separate Telangana. He said that the BJP considers an election manifesto is a promise made to the people. “We will promise only what we can do as it has been done in the BJP ruled States in the country,” he said.

The party promised to waive farm loan to the tune of Rs 2 lakh, additional bonus over and above the minimum support price (MSP). Under the irrigation sector, the manifesto said that it will link Godavari-Krishna basins to utilise 100 TMC of Godavari waters allocated to the State. Besides, to facilitate water-ways transport along the Krishna and Godavari River lands.

Free laptops to degree students, free coaching to 25,000 talented students from the backward classes, free cycles to girl students studying VII to X standards, 50 per cent subsidy for purchase of Scooty's by students studying degree and above and Fee Regulatory Authority for the fee in the corporate private schools. Health covers to 3.5 crore under Ayushman Bharat as well as payment of Rs 1000 premium to provide health insurance to those above BPL. It promised employees to restore old pension scheme and enhance the retirement age to 60 years.

The saffron party assured to issue notifications to fill two lakh government jobs within three months and announced a mega DSC notification within 100 days. It assured free housing to poor eligible beneficiaries by 2020 and payment of rental of Rs 5,000 until the houses are handed over, he said.

Separate corporations for Reddys, Vysyas and Brahmins with an outlay of Rs 1,000 crore annually to each of them. Establishment of MBC Federation and to regularise land rights to SC, ST and other poor people who have given assigned lands.

Also, it wishes to provide Rs 10 lakh financial assistance to the family of Telangana martyrs and Rs 5,000 monthly pension to those who were jailed in the separate Telangana movement. The annual allocation of Rs 5,000 crore to BC Corporation, it promised to implement all central schemes for minorities. Protection of Wakf lands and encouraging computer education and skill development in Madrasas were also promised.

Under Women empowerment, the saffron party promised to provide one tola gold to prospective brides of poor households, in addition to one lakh rupees for marriage under Saubhagya Lakshmi Scheme (SSS). Girl students will get a monthly scholarship of Rs 1,000 to those studying from VII to XII standard. And, DWACRA groups will be provided with Rs 5 lakh interest-free loans and one lakh rupees grant and smartphones.

A Ventura Capital Fund (VCF) of Rs 5,000 crore will be established to encourage start-ups. And, drinking water will be supplied at one rupee per month. In the power sector, it set a target of adding 10,000 megawatts power.

The manifesto promised to fill 20,000 jobs in Singareni collieries, Rs 2,000 crore allocation of Trade and Industrial Corridors and subsidy of four per cent in the loans for MSMEs and another Rs 2,000 crore fund to revive the closed industries and free power to MSME. It promised to double the budgetary allocation to the panchayat and municipal bodies and improvement of village roads. Promising good governance, it also made specific assures to the people of Greater Hyderabad, as well as infrastructure development and urban development in the State.