After Haryana, Stalin vows 75% jobs to local youth

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 13

MK Stalin-led DMK today released its election manifesto for the April 6 Tamil Nadu elections, promising among a slew of sops 75 per cent jobs to locals in the state’s industrial units.

Stalin, who is contesting the majority of seats in the opposition alliance with the Congress and smaller partners, today released the party manifesto and assured private sector quotas in engagement with the industry besides pledging to slash the prices of petrol and diesel.

The 500 promises Stalin made in the DMK manifesto include Rs 4,000 relief to Covid-19 affected rice ration card holders; enhancement of government job reservation limit for women from 30 to 40 per cent; free travel and transport to women and free computer tablets with data card for students on account of online learning during the Covid times.

Stalin also said milk would be provided to school students. The manifesto speaks of increasing the MGNREGA manday ceiling from 100 to 150 days a year; providing 12 month maternity leave and allocating Rs 1000 crore for maintenance of Hindu temples. The manifesto said special courts would be set up.

Shah to hit campaign trail in WB, Assam

• Union Home Minister Amit Shah is set to enter the high-voltage campaign fray in West Bengal on March 14 and 15 and will also be holding public meetings in Assam.
• In Assam, Shah will address rallies in Margherita in Tinsukia district and at Nazira in Sivasagar on March 14. The former BJP chief will also address a townhall programme in Guwahati on March 15.

Vote for any party, but BJP: SKM leader

• Seniormost leader of the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) Balbir Singh Rajewal targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday.
• He said Prime Minister Modi was a bigger threat to India than Pakistan.
• Rajewal, who was addressing a gathering at Nandigram, also asked the people to vote for anyone, but the BJP.