Sena-NCP-Cong govt to roll out freebies

Shiv Kumar
Tribune News Service
Mumbai, November 28

Apart from pledging to uphold the secular values enshrined in the Indian constitution, the Common Minimum Programme (CMP) of the Maha Vikas Aghadi comprising the Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress has promised a number of freebies for the people of Maharashtra. 

Apart from subsidised food across the state for Rs 10 on the lines of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa’s Amma Canteens, the CMP envisages setting up ‘One Rupee Clinic’ at the ‘taluka’ level where pathological tests would be available for just one rupee each.

The government also stated that super specialty hospitals and medical colleges would be established in all the districts of the state. The document also states that health insurance cover would be provided to every citizen.

The Uddhav Thackeray government also pledged to enact laws so that 80 per cent of jobs in Maharashtra are reserved for those domiciled in the state.

Apart from providing free education for girls from economically weaker sections, the government announced that working women hostels would be constructed in all cities and district headquarters. Interest-free education loans for the children of farmers and the economically-weaker sections have also been announced.

The CMP is divided into 10 sections covering farmers, unemployment, women, education, health and social justice among others. The three parties have also decided that two coordination committees would be set up for implementing the CMP. While one committee will comprise Cabinet ministers, the other would co-ordinate with the smaller parties in the alliance.