Bihar polls: NDA releases election manifesto 'Sankalp Patra'; promises over 1 crore govt jobs

Union Minister-BJP chief JP Nadda, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Union Minister-HAM(S) Custodian Jitan Ram Manjh and Union Minister-LJP(RV) Chief Chirag Paswan were among others present at the occassion.

Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar, BJP president JP Nadda, union ministers Jitan Ram Manjhi  and Chirag Paswan, RLM chief Upendra Kushwaha, and other leaders -- part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Bihar -- on Friday released the election manifesto for assembly polls in the state.

The manifesto promises more than 1 crore government jobs to the youth of the state.

Voting for the 243-seat Bihar Assembly will be held in two phases on November 6 and 11, with the counting set to take place on November 14.

Key promises mentioned in the manifesto -- From employment to health and infrastructure

Employment and industry

-1 crore government jobs and employment opportunities.

-Mega Skill Centres to be established in every district.

-Construction of 10 new industrial parks and factories in every district.

-100 MSME parks and more than 50,000 cottage industries.

-Defence corridor and semiconductor manufacturing parks to be set up.

Women empowerment

-Women Employment Scheme – financial support of up to Rs 22 lakh for women entrepreneurs.

-1 crore women to become Lakhpati Didis (earning women).

-Through “Mission Crorepati”, women entrepreneurs will become crorepatis (millionaires).

Agriculture and fisheries

-Increase in Kisan Samman Nidhi assistance from Rs 6,000 to Rs 9,000 per year.

-Increase in fishermen’s assistance from Rs 4,500 to Rs 9,000 per year.

-MSP (Minimum Support Price) guarantee for all crops.

Infrastructure

-Rs 9 lakh crore investment in physical infrastructure.

-7 expressways and modernisation of 3,600 km of railway track.

-Metro rail in Patna, Gaya, Purnia, and Bhagalpur.

-Development of international airports in Patna, Darbhanga, Purnia, and Bhagalpur.

Education

-Residential schools for SC/ST students in every division.

-Monthly stipend of Rs 2,000 for SC/ST students in higher education.

-Mid-day meal + breakfast in schools.

-Rs 5,000 crore investment for upgrading major schools.

-Free quality education from primary to higher level for poor families.

Youth and sports

-Establish Bihar Sports City and create Centers of Excellence for key sports disciplines in every division.

Health

-Construction of medical colleges in every district.

-Development of a world-class medical city.

Social justice & welfare

-Financial assistance up to Rs 10 lakh for Scheduled Castes of extremely backward categories.

-Construction of 50 lakh new houses, free electricity up to 125 units, and social security pension under welfare schemes.

Culture and heritage

-Development of Janaki’s birthplace (Sitamarhi) as a world-class spiritual city – “Naimisharanya of Bihar.”

Flood-free Bihar

Set up a Flood Management Board and drive a Flood-to-Fortune strategy -- connecting rivers, strengthening embankments, and widening canals to turn flood-prone regions into hubs of agriculture and aquaculture.

Gig workers and drivers’ welfare

Rs 4 lakh life insurance, skill training, and collateral-free vehicle loans for auto, taxi, and e-rickshaw drivers.