INDIA bloc releases Bihar manifesto: Key promises in ‘Tejashwi Pran Patra’

The grand alliance’s Chief Minister face and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav said that he wanted to see a 'Viksit Bihar'

The Congress and RJD-led Mahagathbandhan launched the election manifesto for the upcoming Bihar election on Tuesday. Titled, "Bihar ka Tejashwi Pran", the manifesto outlined the alliance's road map for the state.

The INDIA bloc's Chief Minister face for the state, RJD leader Tejwashwi Yadav said he wanted to see a "Viksit Bihar" and is committed to make Bihar as the No. 1 state in India.

"Not only do we have to form the government in Bihar, we also have to make a new Bihar... The Mahagathbandhan alliance has released the Sankalp Patra for Bihar...," said Yadav.

Several leaders, the alliance's Deputy CM face and VIP chief Mukesh Sahani, Congress leader Pawan Khera, and others were present during the release of the manifesto. However, Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi was not present at the launch.

Mahagathbandhan’s Deputy CM face and VIP chief, Mukesh Sahani said that the Mahagathbandhan government will work for the service of the people of Bihar for the next 30-35 years.

“Today we have launched the Sankalp Patra for a new Bihar. We will fulfil all the public’s aspirations. We will complete all the promises made to the public," he said as quoted by news agency ANI.

 What are the key promises?

•Will launch a campaign to provide one government job to one member of every family within 20 days.

•All Jeevika Didis will be made permanent and recognised as government employees. Their salary will be fixed at Rs 30,000 per month.

•IT Parks, Food Processing Units, Logistics, Manufacturing, and Tourism sectors will be promoted through a “Start-Based Industrial Policy.” Special attention will be given to the development of 200 new Industrial Cities, Industrial Clusters, and Industrial Corridors.

•The Old Pension Scheme (OPS) will be reinstated for all government employees. In addition, five new export policies will be launched to promote export-based production.

•Under the Mai Bahin Maan Yojana, women will receive Rs 2,500 per month and an annual assistance of Rs 30,000. Alongside this, the government will introduce BETI and MAI schemes, under which women will be provided with facilities such as bank kits, education, training, and employment.

•Under the Social Security Pension Scheme, widows and elderly individuals will receive Rs  1,500 per month, with an annual increase of Rs 200.

•Every household will receive 200 units of free electricity.

• The constitutional rights of all minority communities will be protected. The Waqf Amendment Bill will be put on hold, and the management of Waqf properties will be made more welfare-oriented and beneficial by making them transparent. The management of Buddhist temples located in Bodh Gaya will be handed over to the people of the Buddhist community.

•Farmers will be guaranteed the purchase of all crops at the minimum support price, and the Mandi and Market Committee will be revived. Mandis will be opened at the divisional, subdivision, and block levels. The APMC Act will be reinstated.

•Every individual will be provided free health insurance up to Rs 25 lakh under the Jan Swasthya Suraksha Yojana.

•To increase the 50% reservation limit proportionate to the population, a law passed by the Legislature will be sent to the Central Government for inclusion in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution.

•The current 20% reservation for the Most Backward Classes in Panchayat and Municipal bodies will be increased to 30%. For Scheduled Castes (SCs), this limit will be raised from 16% to 20%, and a proportionate increase in reservation for Scheduled Tribes (STs) will also be ensured.

• Legislation to prevent incidents of harassment of women during installment collection by microfinance companies and to control arbitrary interest rates.

The manifesto also included commitments to expand Patna Metro, build five new smart cities, ensure 24×7 electricity and clean water, and make governance fully digital with Right to Health and Right to Employment laws.