Cong promises subsidised wheat, jobs in hills to check migration

Jotirmay Thapliyal

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 5

The state Congress released its manifesto titled ‘Sankalp Patra 2017-22’ here today. Among numerous promises, the party has promised subsidised wheat, creation of jobs to check migration from hills, and women empowerment.

The manifesto reads that the party, if re-elected to power, will provide wheat for Rs 2 per kg to the above poverty line (APL) beneficiaries from 2018 onwards. The party also stopped short of giving Gairsain a capital status, asserting that a decision to this effect can be taken three years after necessary infrastructure comes up in Gairsain.

Besides subsidised wheat, the manifesto promises to provide one kilogram of salt to each family through ration shops. The issue of declaration of Gairsain as the state capital has been back-burnered as the party said such a decision can be taken only after the area gets adequate infrastructure, and that can be done after at least three more years.

The 47-page manifesto also focuses on the issue of migration from hills as it exhorts to create job opportunities in hilly areas by 2022.

Besides, focus has also been laid on the welfare of women, scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and minorities. “Kitchen will be constructed for women from below-poverty-line (BPL) families. For those other than the BPL families, the government has plans to bear the cost of improvement of existing kitchen,” the Sankalp Patra states.

The party has promised SC/ST students to set up coaching institutes to help them prepare for competitive examinations. Easy loans to youths from minority communities have also been promised.

The Congress, eyeing youngsters, has pledged to set up units for preparation of electronic goods in hill areas of the state. Significantly, nine resolutions that Harish Rawat recently announced have also been included in the manifesto.

In charge of Congress affairs in Uttarakhand Ambika Soni, while releasing the manifesto, said besides revealing the party’s resolve to work for the people, it also stands for the honour of Uttarakhand people. “The Congress stands for Uttarakhandiyat. The way the Centre has tried to destablise the Congress government is an attack on the honour of the state people, which will not be tolerated,” she said while appealing people to support the party.

Chief Minister Harish Rawat asserted that the Congress pledged to follow the manifesto in letter and spirit. “It will be our utmost responsibility to fulfill the promises that we are making today. We will also constitute a high-powered committee for the same. Employment opportunities will be generated in remote hill areas through renewed emphasis on skill development of local youths to stop their exodus in search of work by 2022,” he said.

The manifesto also focuses on agriculture by setting a target to make at least 30 per cent of unirrigated land partially or fully irrigated over the next five years, he said. Disaster management mechanism will be further strengthened by appointing five ‘aapda (disaster) mitras’ in every village.

State Congress president Kishore Upadhyay said suggestions had been taken from the people while preparing the manifesto. “The manifesto team visited at least 10 places in each Assembly constituency and took written suggestions from people,” he added.

Senior Congress leaders Kumari Selja and Rajiv Tyagi were also present at the press conference.

The Assembly elections in the state are slated for February 15.