Manmohan to unveil Congress manifesto today

Aditi Tandon

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 8

Former PM Manmohan Singh will unveil the Congress manifesto for Punjab at the party headquarters here tomorrow in the presence of state leaders, including PPCC chief Capt Amarinder Singh.

The manifesto, which Congress leaders are describing as unique, will promise sops for several sections, mainly farmers, the poor and the homeless, girl students, youth and Scheduled Castes.

A major promise will be houses for the homeless across rural and urban sections. A job for one person per household is another tall promise the Congress is likely to make. Also on cards is tuition and hostel fee waiver right up to the doctorate level for girls from economically weaker sections.

For farmers, the manifesto will hold a greater promise given party vice-president Rahul Gandhi’s involvement on the issue of loan waiver and revised MSP for farm produce.

With Punjab farmers’ dues running into some Rs60,000 crore, the Congress is expected to promise a loan waiver.

Speaking to The Tribune today, chairperson of the Congress manifesto panel Rajinder Kaur Bhattal said: “The manifesto will not be a routine text of promises. We have explained therein how we will fulfill these promises. In fact, the finer points of the manifesto were earlier discussed with Dr Manmohan Singh and we explained to him the details of financial inflows and outflows. Our manifesto is a genuine document of the party’s intent.”

Screening panel meets again

The Congress screening committee, headed by Ashok Gehlot, met again in Delhi today to discuss 40 pending seats. The Tribune has learnt 18 seats have been sealed and discussions on the remaining will continue ahead of the central election committee’s meeting on January 10.