Cong manifesto promises Rs 2,500 for women, 300 free electricity units

The party has further promised five guarantees to Delhi voters -- a monthly financial assistance of Rs 2,500 for women, free health cover of up to Rs 25 lakh, 300 units of free electricity, one-year apprenticeship for unemployed youth and a stipend of Rs 8,500 per month, and LPG at Rs 500 per cylinder along with a free ration kit.

Despite not winning a seat in the Delhi Assembly for the past 10 years, the Congress is attempting to reconnect with Delhi residents, promising sweeping reforms and socio-economic measures if it returns to power.

The other two major parties -- AAP and the BJP -- have already released their manifestoes, offering a range of freebies for the people of the national capital.

Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, while releasing the manifesto, emphasised that their promises were not mere political promises but guarantees given to the people of Delhi. “We have launched our manifesto, taking into account the ambitions and hopes of all Delhi residents. All our promises, including the five guarantees, are intended to improve the quality of people’s lives and address current issues,” Ramesh said.

The manifesto, divided into 22 sections, includes several bold commitments like ending contract jobs in the government and regularising all posts. The party also announced a 33 per cent reservation for women in government jobs.

The manifesto further included a provision of Rs 1.1 lakh for the wedding of widows’ daughters; and a proposal to establish 100 Indira canteens across the city, where meals would be offered at a nominal price of Rs 5 per plate.

Additionally, 7.5 lakh street vendors would be given better opportunities, aiming to uplift the informal sector and address the challenges faced by these vendors.

The party has promised to establish 24-hour dispensaries in each ward, along with 10 multi-specialty hospitals. It would also overhaul the city’s sewerage infrastructure and ensure that only treated water is discharged into the Yamuna.

The party further said that it would reintroduce the Bhaagidari Yojana for NGOs to run programmes at the local level. It would provide ownership rights to residents of unauthorised colonies as well as affected people after resettlement.

Key commitments

• Dedicated Ministry for Purvanchalis
• 33% reservation for women in government jobs
• 24-hour dispensaries in each ward, along with 10 multi-specialty hospitals
• 24-hour access to clean drinking water
• Increasing pension for senior citizens, widows and persons with disabilities to Rs 5,000 per month
• Restoring 15,000 civil defense volunteers
• Providing transgender persons with scholarships, hostels and accessible washrooms in public spaces
• Reopen recruitment for persons with disabilities

The Congress has also assured all Delhi residents that they would get 24-hour access to clean drinking water. Besides, pension for senior citizens, widows, and persons with disabilities would be increased to Rs 5,000 per month.

The party would restore 15,000 civil defence volunteers to strengthen safety measures. It would also promote welfare of transgender persons by providing them scholarships, hostels and accessible washrooms in public spaces; and reopen recruitment for persons with disabilities.

The manifesto further read that 35,000 flats built under the Rajiv Ratan Awas Yojana (2007-2010) would be allocated to residents of JJ clusters free of cost, with guarantees that no resident would be evicted without prior rehabilitation.

It further stated that the number of electric and hydrogen buses operated by the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) would be increased by 500 per year; and a monorail system connecting key areas like Camp, Burari village, Amrit Vihar and Ring Road would be established.