Cong manifesto banks on freebies to win votes in Himachal poll

Shimla: The Congress in an attempt to woo voters in the Himachal polls announced a list freebies in its manifesto released today that include old age pension, free electricity of up to 300 units a month to all households and financial assistance of Rs ,500 a month to women between 18 to 60 years of age.

In a bid to woo 2.60 lakh government servants, 1.55 lakh pensioners, unemployed youths, women and farmers ahead of the crucial state assembly polls, opposition

“ The OPS (old age pension scheme) decision will be taken in the first cabinet meeting of the Congress government” declared party incharge Rajiv Shukla in presence of Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, whose government has already implemented the OPS.

As the BJP has given the slogan of “riwaaz Badal Raha hai” –the trend of rotation of the governments in five years is changing, the Congress sought to reverse the narrative saying that the trend of changing government will continue.

The party leaders including Shukla ,however, could not explain how much financial liability will be imposed on the state exchequer to implement all the freebies.

Himachal Pradesh has a debt burden of Rs 70,000 crores and its limited resource base did not permit rolling-out benefits entailing thousands of crores. The budget of the state for year 2022-23 is Rs 51,365-crore

“ We will raise the resources .Even the schemes like purchase of cow dung, as implemented in Chhattisgarh, will bring a lot of income to the state” said Shukla.

He said the BJP is spreading rumours that the OPS can’t be implemented but two Congress governments have created an example in the country doing justice with the employees.

The manifesto was released on the day when Prime Minister Narendra Modi was in Himachal Pradesh to address two mega rallies at Sundernagar and Solan.

The 51-page Congress manifesto speaks about benefits almost to every section including women, traders and those involved in the business relating to tourism.

Former minister Dhani Ram Shandil, who headed the manifesto committee said every section of society is unhappy with the incumbent government.The manifesto has taken care of the problems of unemployed youths, employees and common sections.

“An attempt has been made to address issues like price rise, unemployment and issues concerning employees.There is also effort to meet aspirations of women and ex-servicemen”

The Congress said more than 63,000 posts vacant in the government sector will be filled-up.There is a plan to give one lakh jobs in the first year of the government.

The Congress has promised that all arrears due to the employees would be given and contract employees would be regularised within two years.

It also proposed the setting up of a Youth Commission to look into all issues of education and employment generation. Also the party announced setting up of a Drug Vigilance Authority headed by a sitting judge of the High Court to combat the problem of drug menace.

The party reiterated its 10 guarantees, which include 300 units free power, Rs 1500 per month to all women between 18 to 60 years and Rs 10 crore each for every assembly segment to facilitate setting up of startup units by the youths.

The irregularities in the recruitments will be probed. It promised to set up a Recruitment Board to ensure that all posts are filled up within six months of the advertisement.

For the farmers and fruit growers, the party said a commission will be set-up to decide the remunerative prices for the produce to stop their exploitations by the commission agents and companies like the Adani group.