Rahul: Will give 33% quota to women in Central govt jobs

SURATGARH (R’STHAN): On his first tour to Rajasthan after announcement of the General Election early this month, Congress president Rahul Gandhi today announced that his party would extend 33 per cent quota to women in Parliament and Assemblies, and the same percentage of reservation in Central government jobs as well, if voted to power.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi is greeted by his party worker as Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot looks on during a public meeting in Bundi district on Tuesday. PTI

Yash Goyal

Suratgarh (R’sthan), March 26

On his first tour to Rajasthan after announcement of the General Election early this month, Congress president Rahul Gandhi today announced that his party would extend 33 per cent quota to women in Parliament and Assemblies, and the same percentage of reservation in Central government jobs as well, if voted to power.

Addressing a poll rally at Khel Sankul in Bundi, Gandhi said India had fought a number of wars with Pakistan, and no Prime Minister ever claimed it was he who fought it. “Unfortunately, this PM (Narendra Modi) says it was done by him as if there was no Army or Indian Air Force involved in it.”

He blamed the Modi government for weakening economy, joblessness and worsening situation of small shopkeepers due to demonetisation and GST implementation. Addressing another rally in Suratgarh, the Congress president said the Congress would not allow formation of ‘two Hindustan’ based on rich and poor as being done by Modi in last five years.

“Modiji has made one Hindustan of rich and another of poor, unemployed youths, and hapless farmers. In the past five years, through demonetisation and GST, only 15 to 20 top businessmen’s were benefitted, and promises made to unemployed youth and farmers proved hollow. The Congress will ensure that ‘injustice’ to poor, jobless youth and farmers ends in this election,” Gandhi said.

“The Congress’ novel scheme of Nyay (Nyuntam Aay Yojana or minimum income guarantee) to eradicate poverty would prove as a ‘surgical strike’ if voted to power.

The Congress would work on its historic decision of minimum income of Rs 12,000 per month income to poor families. Over 25 crore poor families would get this benefit. It would be a war against poverty,” he claimed.

Besides, the Congress president, said the major problem of unemployment and agrarian distress would be tackled by facilitating quick bank loans to youth and extending loan waiver schemes already implemented in the Congress-ruled states in the entire country.

He again took a jibe at the Prime Minister over Rafale deal, saying, “Voh chowkidar jaroor hai par Anil Ambani ka. Use 30,000 cr diye hain peeche se... Rafale banane ka contract France se dilaya (He is certainly chowikdar but is of Anil Ambani. He has been tacitly provided Rs 30,000 crore and a contract from France to make Rafale.”