Congress Party Reveals its Manifesto: The Congress Party recently unveiled its manifesto, titled ‘Nyay Patra’, for the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections. This event took place at the AICC headquarters in New Delhi, with prominent leaders such as Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, and Rahul Gandhi in attendance. The manifesto outlines key promises and pledges that the party aims to fulfill if elected.
One significant promise made by Congress is to provide a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) to farmers. Additionally, the party vows to ensure a national minimum wage of ₹400 per day, among other assurances.
The manifesto also highlights the concept of ‘Paanch Nyay’ or ‘five pillars of justice’, which include ‘Yuva Nyay’ (justice for youth), ‘Naari Nyay’ (justice for women), ‘Kisaan Nyay’ (justice for farmers), ‘Shramik Nyay’ (justice for laborers), and ‘Hissedari Nyay’ (justice for equity). These pillars represent the party’s commitment to addressing various societal issues and ensuring fairness and equality for all citizens.
Through the release of this manifesto, the Congress Party aims to present its vision and plans for governance to the electorate ahead of the upcoming general elections.
Major Commitments in Congress Manifesto ‘Nyay Patra’:
- The Congress pledges to fill around 30 lakh vacant positions in various levels of the central government.
- Guaranteeing a national minimum wage of ₹400 per day is a key commitment of the Congress.
- The Congress promises to adopt the Rajasthan model of cashless insurance, offering coverage of up to ₹25 lakh for universal healthcare.
- Legal assurances will be provided by the Congress to ensure a Minimum Support Price (MSP) for farmers annually, as recommended by the Swaminathan Commission.
- Congress vows to safeguard the freedom of choice for minorities regarding dress, food, language, and personal laws. Reforms in personal laws will be encouraged with community participation and consent.
- A nationwide socio-economic and caste Census will be conducted by Congress to enumerate castes and sub-castes, alongside passing a constitutional amendment to raise the 50 percent cap on reservations for SC, ST, and OBC.
- Application fees for government examinations and posts will be abolished by the Congress. Additionally, all outstanding student educational loans as of March 15, 2024, will be written off as a one-time relief measure.
- Congress commits to recognizing civil unions among LGBTQIA+ couples through legislation, following extensive consultations.
- Increasing the central government’s contribution to pensions for senior citizens, widows, and persons with disabilities under the National Social Assistance Programme to ₹1,000 per month is promised by the Congress.
- The Congress plans to reserve 50 percent of central government jobs for women starting in 2025.
- Separate legislation for sports federations will be enacted by Congress to ensure compliance with the Olympic Charter, along with providing sports scholarships of ₹10,000 per month to talented individuals below the age of 21.
- The Congress proposes the Mahalakshmi scheme, offering ₹1 lakh per year as an unconditional cash transfer to impoverished Indian families identified among the bottom income bracket.
- Amendments to election laws to combine electronic voting machines (EVMs) with voter-verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) units, ensuring transparency and efficiency in the voting process, are promised by Congress.
- Personal freedoms, including choices related to food, dress, love, marriage, travel, and residence, will be protected by Congress. The Tenth Schedule of the Constitution will be amended to automatically disqualify members defecting from their original party.
- The Congress intends to amend the Press Council of India Act, 1978, empowering the Council to address issues of fake news and paid news effectively.
- A target of doubling the GDP within the next 10 years is set by Congress to achieve rapid growth and wealth generation.
- The Congress plans to replace the current GST laws with GST 2.0, featuring a single, moderate rate to ease the burden on the poor.
- Repairing relations with the Maldives and restoring previous border arrangements with China are priorities for the Congress, along with adjusting policies towards China until desired objectives are met.
Also Read: Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Filing Of Nominations For First Phase Of Lok Sabha Elections Begins Today
