New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party election manifesto that was released this morning, promises more sops for farmers.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with party president Amit Shah and Home Minister Rajnath Singh, released the ruling BJP’s manifesto, called Sankalp Patra (Document of Promises), for the 2019 general elections.
Releasing the manifesto today, just three days before the first phase of general elections, senior party leader Rajnath Singh said it consists of 48 pages and has 75 promises.
The patra comes up with lots of sops for farmers. “We have set 75 well-defined resolutions in our manifesto that we can fulfil in a time-bound manner. We are moving forward with ‘one mission, one direction’. I thank you all for the support for the last five years. Our manifesto reflects aspirations of the people, the true spirit of democracy,” said the Prime Minister.
Speaking at the release of manifesto, Rajnath said, “Modi has promised to double the income of farmers, and we have largely managed to fulfil it and Rs 25 lakh crore will be spent on the development of the rural areas.”
The other major highlights include passing a Uniform Civil Code, Citizenship Amendment Bill and building Ram Mandir within the framework of the Constitution.
FOR FARMERS
“We will provide short-term new agriculture loans up to Rs 1 lakh at zero per cent interest rate for one to five years on the condition of prompt repayment of the principal amount. A pension facility for small and marginal farmers after 60 years of age has been proposed,” Rajnath said, and added, “National traders commission and farm income support to all farmers would be extended.”
WOMEN’S WELFARE
Women’s welfare and development will be accorded high priority at all levels within the government, the Minister said, adding the BJP is committed to 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and State assemblies through a constitutional amendment.
ON KASHMIR
“We reiterate our position since the time of the Jan Sangh to the abrogation of Article 370. We are committed to annulling Article 35A of the Constitution of India as the provision is discriminatory against non-permanent residents and women of Jammu and Kashmir,” said Rajnath.
VISION 2032
We aspire to make India the third largest economy by 2030. This implies that we commit to make India a US $ 5 trillion economy by 2025 and US $ 10 trillion economy by 2032, he added.
HEALTH
According to BJP’s Sankalp Patra, “If voted to power again, we will set up one medical college or postgraduate medical college in every district, through public or private participation by 2024. We will provide telemedicine and diagnostic laboratory facilities at health and wellness centres by 2022.”
EMPLOYMENT AND POVERTY ALLEVIATION
New opportunities of employment by providing more support to the 22 major ‘Champion Sectors’ identified as the main drivers of Indian economy will be created. We are the first government in history which consolidated India’s middle-class and which brought out the fastest depletion of poverty. A new scheme to provide collateral-free credit up to Rs 50 lakh for entrepreneurs will be launched, said Rajnath.
RAM MANDIR
“We reiterate our stand on Ram Mandir. We will explore all possibilities within the framework of the Constitution and all necessary expeditious construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya,” said Rajnath Singh.
FIGHT AGAINST TERROR
“We had a zero tolerance policy towards terrorism, it will continue till terror is eliminated completely,” Rajnath said.
“With all our promises, made in this manifesto, we are taking a step towards building a New India,” he added.