The Congress has unveiled an extensive manifesto, Vachan Patra, for Madhya Pradesh ahead of the Assembly elections scheduled on November 17. It offers a host of promises aimed at addressing various aspects of governance and improving the lives of the state's citizens.
"I want to thank the people of Madhya Pradesh for sending more than 9,000 suggestions for our manifesto. Each and every suggestion was important in its own aspect," said state Congress president Kamal Nath as he released the manifesto along with AICC general secretary Randeep Surjewala in Bhopal.
The promises cover multiple sectors and constituencies. For agriculture, the manifesto promises guaranteed prices for wheat and paddy, along with free electricity and discounts for farmers. Other measures include farmer-friendly mobile applications and the launch of the Nandini cow dung collection scheme. The party also pledges to reopen closed cow shelters and enhance grants for cow fodder. It vows to provide a bonus for milk purchases and grant fishing rights to fishermen.
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In the sphere of women's welfare, the Congress pledges support for daughters' weddings, loans for women entrepreneurs, housing for rural homeless women, and free transportation on metropolitan bus services. They intend to regularise Anganwadi assistants and workers and create a new cadre of field health workers. Additionally, the 'Meri Bitiya Rani Yojana' is designed to support daughters from birth to their wedding.
The party's healthcare focus includes the right to health and the 'Vardaan Health Insurance Scheme'. Public servants, government employees, and officers can expect insurance coverage and resumed promotions. The manifesto also outlines provisions for outsourced and contract workers, ex-servicemen, and paramilitary personnel.
The party emphasises the importance of addressing mineral policy issues, labour rights, access to clean water, technological research, social justice, and the uplifting of backward classes, scheduled castes, and tribes. Rural development will be achieved through a three-tier Panchayati Raj system, and the right to housing is also highlighted.
Economic strengthening, crime-free measures, transportation, a drug-free state, and journalist support are among the various other areas covered by the manifesto.
Also read: Assembly Elections 2023: Ten big (and common) themes across the poll-bound states
The party has made commitment for initiatives for youth, which include government recruitment laws, filling government posts, prioritising state youth in job opportunities, and various forms of financial assistance. The manifesto also outlines educational reforms, student union elections, and schemes to reward young athletes.
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