SAD manifesto promises regular 10-hr free power to farmers in the day

Chandigarh, January 24

The Shiromani Akali Dal’s released its manifesto on Tuesday that focused heavily on welfare measures for farmers, with promises of interest-free farm loans, calamity relief measures and free power supply.    

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Highlights

•Punjab to provide free power to farmers for regular 10 hours during the day

•Respite to the traders who have a turnover of up to Rs 2 crore – no books, self-certification, lumpsum tax

•Taking even farm labour in the fold of its empathy, 10% calamity relief for them

•Expanding the provision of free tubewell to every farmer regardless of holding

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•As a major respite, Rs 2 lakh interest-free agriculture crop loan will be provided to every small farmer every year

•To support the ‘Anna-Daata’ Rs 100/quintal to be provided as fertiliser input incentive on wheat and paddy in addition to MSP

•Farm debts of farmers with land holdings up to 2.5 acres to be waived

•Reiterates commitment to the welfare of farmers

•Free two-wheelers to all girl students in Class 12 and graduation

•All toppers among boys and girls to receive full free education

•All 10 toppers in Class 12 to be given full assistance for overseas studies

•Meritorious schools to be built in every district to provide free education to underprivileged students

•The amount of Hargobind scholarship (meritorious schools) to be raised from Rs 30,000 to Rs 50,000

•Will establish Punjab as an education hub by strengthening the education delivery system

•Solar power will be harnessed to illuminate the villages through solar lights

•Safe drinking water to be made available in every village 

•100% sewerage coverage to ensure Swachh and Swasth Punjab

•We linked all villages with roads. We will widen those roads to 18ft for easy commuting

•5 kg sugar at Rs10/kg and 2 kg ghee at Rs 25/kg to blue-card holders, small farmers, labour and other needy sections

•The limit of Bhagat Puran Singh Sehat Bima Yojana to be raised from Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh per annum

•Every village to have pucca houses in five years. About 5 lakh pucca houses to be built

•Manifesto has an array of rural development initiatives listed

•A tool of empowerment, free sewing machine to every 10th-pass girl

•Ensuring self-dependence, all welfare pensions amount to be raised to Rs 2,000 from the present Rs 500 per month

•Free gas connections, gas stoves and pressure cookers to provide women a healthy kitchen

•The amount of Shagun scheme to be raised from Rs 15,000 to Rs 51,000

•Manifesto includes major welfare schemes

•We have set a benchmark with our focus on urban development; further strengthening of urban infrastructure

•SAD manifesto brings an array of benefits for the youth